Mercury Switches
#5710: Mercury Switches (2005)
Removing mercury switches from automobiles.
Supported by Sierra Club (2 points).
Passed Senate, died in House.
This bill would have required auto manufacturers to set up programs to remove mercury switches before the vehicles are recycled, when shredding can cause the mercury to be released into the environment. Only three auto manufacturers continue to use mercury light switches: Ford, GM, and Chrysler. These mercury switches cost 9 cents less than safer alternatives. Had the bill passed, it would have required the companies that manufacture these toxic components to share responsibility for the products they create.
Auto recyclers, car dismantlers, and local governments joined the environmental community in supporting this bill. The Senate passed the bill, despite opposition from the auto manufacturers, but time ran out for the bill in the House. There's a good chance it will be back next session.
Senator Poulsen.