AAA Warns of Dangerous Mercury Lurking in Your Car; New AAA Program Offers Free Mercury Switch Replacement.News Editors/Health/Medical Writers SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 3, 2003 Hidden away in the hood and trunk lights of millions of California cars lies enough mercury to poison thousands of lakes and waterways. In response to this environmental threat, AAA AAA: see American Automobile Association. (Triple A) A common single-cell battery used in a myriad of electronic devices of all variety. Like its double A (AA) cousin, it provides 1.5 volts of DC power. When used in series, the voltage is multiplied. of Northern California Northern California, sometimes referred to as NorCal, is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The region contains the San Francisco Bay Area, the state capital, Sacramento; as well as the substantial natural beauty of the redwood forests, the northern is offering free switch removal and replacement during its first ever "Mercury Switch A mercury switch is a switch whose purpose is to allow or interrupt the flow of electric current in an electrical circuit in a manner that is dependent on the switch's physical position or alignment relative to the direction of the "pull" of earth's gravity. Out" program. "Most people don't realize the cars they're driving may contain mercury," explained AAA of Northern California spokesperson Jenny Mack. "Luckily, replacement switches are equally effective and only take about five minutes to install." Of the 19 million cars registered in California, over 12 million contain mercury switches. That's more than 10 tons of mercury riding around California's streets and highways. Just one switch has the potential to pollute a 20 acre lake. During the week of June 9-16, AAA will be replacing mercury switches with new, non-polluting ball-bearing switches at select locations, free of charge. You do not need to be a AAA member to participate. Appointments need to be made in advance. Call the AAA Approved Auto Repair hotline at 800/645-4288 or visit www.aaa.com for participating locations. AAA is partnering in this effort with Sustainable Conservation, a non-profit organization A non-profit organization (abbreviated "NPO", also "non-profit" or "not-for-profit") is a legally constituted organization whose primary objective is to support or to actively engage in activities of public or private interest without any commercial or monetary profit purposes. dedicated to finding new solutions to environmental problems, and AERC AERC African Economic Research Consortium AERC Adult Education Research Conference AERC American Endurance Ride Conference AERC Alcohol Education and Research Council (UK) AERC Association of European Rarities Committees , an EPA-approved mercury recycling company. Mercury switches are most often located in the hood and trunk lights. If the light goes on with the lid partially up, or if you can see that the bulb housing is mounted at an angle to the hood, a mercury switch is probably being used. Generally, domestic cars manufactured before 2001, or import cars made before 1992, are likely to contain mercury switches. "The switches are not dangerous when they are being used in a properly maintained vehicle," explained Mack. "But once a car is sent to the junkyard and deteriorates, the mercury contained in the switches leaks out into the groundwater, polluting our fish and water supply." Mercury is a neurotoxin neurotoxin /neu·ro·tox·in/ (noor´o-tok?sin) a substance that is poisonous or destructive to nerve tissue. neu·ro·tox·in n. See neurolysin. that causes serious brain and nervous system damage in humans and wildlife. Mercury remains in the environment for years, without breaking down, and continues to accumulate in higher concentrations as it moves up the food chain. "Mercury is highly toxic highly toxic Occupational medicine adjective Referring to a chemical that 1. Has a median lethal dose–LD50 of ≤ 50 mg/kg when administered orally to 200-300 g albino rats 2. ," explained Mike Gerel of Sustainable Conservation. "It can build up in your body through eating contaminated contaminated, v 1. made radioactive by the addition of small quantities of radioactive material. 2. made contaminated by adding infective or radiographic materials. 3. an infective surface or object. food like fish and cause brain damage, and liver and kidney damage kidney damage Kidney injury Nephrology A structural or functional compromise in renal function due to external–eg, athletic, occupational, or other trauma, resulting in bruising or hemorrhage, which can be profuse and life threatening Etiology Vascular ." Established over 100 years ago, AAA of Northern California offers a wide array of automotive, travel, insurance and financial services to more than 4 million members. A not-for-profit organization, AAA of Northern California has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers since it was founded in 1900. TV NOTE: Beta b-roll of switches, lakes, junkyards available. |
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