Mercury-free Colorado Campaign
Automotive Mercury Switch Removal Program

The Problem

Mercury is a cross-media pollutant that is difficult to address due to the cumulative impacts of various discharges, the high number of diffuse low-level sources, and transport from distant sources which contribute to global and local atmospheric pools.

Air pollution sources cause direct deposition onto our land, lakes and rivers where bacteria change the mercury to a very mobile and easily ingestible form called methyl mercury.  It is this form that allows mercury to bioaccumulate through the food chain, thus having the largest health affect on humans.

Mercury switches have been traditionally used in automobiles and appliances because of their reliability.  The switches are mainly used to turn on lights in glove boxes, trunk hoods, engine hoods, and chest freezer lids.  Automobiles and appliances are recycled through scrap handlers, iron foundries and the Rocky Mountain Steel Mill (RMSM) in Pueblo, Colorado.  If the mercury switch is not removed prior to shredding, the mercury will be released to the environment through the ensuing processes.

The Solution

After successfully implementing an in-state mercury switch collection program from 2004 through 2006, Colorado became a participant state in the National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program in 2007.  The national program was initiated in 2006 when the US EPA, several states and members of the auto industry, steel industry, vehicle dismantlers, vehicle shredders, and the environmental community signed a shared responsibility agreement to collect and recycle mercury switches from end-of-life vehicles.

To implement this agreement, the End of Life Vehicle Solutions (ELVS) Corporation was created by the auto industry to provide education, collection and recycling of automotive mercury switches. To learn more about this program and/or to join, contact ELVS via website, phone or mail.

website:  http://www.elvsolutions.org/

phone:  877-225-3587 or 248-788-6656

mail:  End of Life Vehicle Solutions
           PO Box 3282
           Farmington Hills, MI  48333-3282

Other Information

Colorado's Mercury Switch Removal Program 2004-2007

If you have any questions or comments on alternatives to mercury or would like more information on the mercury campaign, please contact us at cdphe.hmmercury@state.co.us.