broken CFL bulb-mercury concerns

[jessicapippin]

A compact fluorescent light bulb was broken at my house, and I am wondering how concerned I should be about mercury exposure for my kids,who are 7 weeks, a 3YO, and a 5YO. We tried to clean up all the pieces with duct tape the best we could, and aired out the house, and I am still currently covering the area with a cloth.  It was broken on our carpeted stairs, and one government website said that you should consider replacing the carpet as the mercury would have absorbed and will emit fumes at a low level for quite some time.  (But recarpeting all the stairs is quite costly.)  Poison control said that it's a low amount, and they don't even worry about it with a mercury thermometer, which I think they said has 500 times the amount of mercury (yet I think it's a lot less-not sure.)  Anyway, I am worried, but not sure if I should be so worried as to replace the carpet. Does anyone know anything more about this?  I'm sure we're not the first people with kids to break one of these bulbs. Thanks for your help.

[redvlagrl]

I would try and have the carpet cleaned professionally and then replace my bulbs with incandesants or another option. I believe LED ones are coming out and they are mercury free