|
Click on photo to view larger image
|
Prior to 2003, vehicle manufacturers used mercury in switches for convenience lights (under the hood or in the trunk) and in anti-lock braking systems. Automakers have since phased out the use of mercury switches in new vehicles. When retired vehicles are recycled, however, the mercury from unrecovered switches can be released to the environment.
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) introduced a pilot project to remove mercury switches from “end-of-life” vehicles. Auto salvage yards that volunteer to remove switches from their automobiles receive a free mercury switch collection kit and a prepaid shipping box. Once full, the box is shipped at no charge to a designated mercury recycler for free processing of mercury switches.
What is Mercury and Why Are We Concerned?
Mercury is a silver-colored metallic element that is harmful to living organisms. More than half of the mercury in the environment comes from human sources such as burning coal to create electricity, and the incineration of waste without proper controls. Rain and snow bring mercury air emissions back to the earth’s surface waters where it is ingested by fish. MDE has issued fish consumption advisories for a number of water bodies in the state due to mercury levels. Such advisories warn that consumption of certain fish species in specific locations should be limited. Pregnant women, women of childbearing age, and children need to be especially careful about their mercury exposure.
For more information on fish consumption advisories, visit MDE’s website:
www.mde.maryland.gov
National Mercury Switch Recovery Program
In March 2006, a group of interested parties including vehicle manufacturers, steelmakers, vehicle dismantlers, vehicle crushers, auto shredders, the environmental community, state representatives and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency agreed on elements of a national program for recovering mercury switches. They intend to recover up to 80 tons of mercury switches from scrapped automobiles, most of which now ends up in our air when auto scrap is remelted in steel recycling plants. The group agreed that vehicle manufacturers should have lead responsibility for providing information and outreach on switch removal. They also stipulated that vehicle manufacturers and steelmakers should create a fund to support the recovery of mercury switches through incentive payments, or “bounties,” to those recovering switches.
What Does the National Agreement Mean to Maryland?
If a final agreement is reached in the coming months, it may still be some time before Maryland auto recyclers benefit from the National Mercury Switch Recovery Program. Meanwhile, every day is a lost opportunity to recover these switches. The next few years are part of the peak time period in which the model year cars containing mercury switches are being dismantled and shredded. This is why MDE is proactively offering the free collection kits to auto recyclers.
How do Auto Recyclers Sign up for the Program?
Auto recyclers interested in participating in this voluntary collection program should call Laura Armstrong, Pollution Prevention Coordinator for MDE’s Pollution Prevention Program at 410-537-4119 or e-mail
Laura.Armstrong@maryland.gov.
|
