EPA announces voluntary mercury switch removal program.

In August, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the establishment of the National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program a voluntary program designed to remove mercury-containing switches from the U.S. scrap supply and help reduce mercury emissions from facilities that melt auto scrap, such as steel manufacturers and metalcasting facilities.

Although the U.S. auto industry halted the use of mercury switches in 2002, an estimated 67.5 million switches are in older vehicles and available for potential recovery. Under the new program, automobile dismantlers who agree to participate will remove the mercury-containing switches from scrap vehicles prior to the vehicles being flattened and/or shredded at scrap recycling facilities, when the switches are most accessible. If not removed before the cars are shredded, the switches force steel manufacturers or metalcasting facilities that melt the scrap to address mercury emissions from their stacks. The program also includes a provision for financial incentives for those who remove mercury switches.

Many states, regional EPA offices and non-governmental organizations have already acted to remove or encourage the removal of mercury switches from automobiles. EPA's new program is intended to complement the existing efforts. More information about the National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program and other ongoing mercury reduction efforts can be found on EPA's mercury management site at http://www.epa.gov/mercury/switch.htm.