DEQ - Automobiles

Automobiles

Mercury is used in automotive applications for various items such as lighting, antitheft systems, antilock breaks and on the rare occasion air bags. These mercury switches should be removed before the crushing of any vehicle to ensure mercury pollution prevention.

Removing and Recycling Automotive Mercury Switches (pdf)
Removing and Recycling Automotive Mercury Switches - Spanish version (pdf)
Mercury Switch Recycling Program (ELVS)
Mercury Switch Removal Video: "The 48 Second Solution" (50MB)

Michigan Automotive Switch Studies

MI Mercury Automotive "Switch/Sweep" Program (pdf)
Auto In-Service Mercury Switch Review (pdf)
MI Mercury Switch Study (pdf)
MI Mercury Switch Study Data (Excel)

Proceedings for the Mercury Switch Informational Meeting, June 1, 2005

Note: The links on this page are connecting to a pdf version of the powerpoint presentations given at this meeting. This half day meeting was designed to deliver important information on mercury initiatives including an introduction of the Michigan Mercury Switch Sweep (M2S2) Program to steel mills, shredders and those in the business of car crushing.

Overview of Mercury: Fate in the Environment and Associated Concerns, Joy Taylor Morgan, MDEQ
Mercury Releases From Steel Recycling and Production: Federal Regulations and Programs, Alexis Cain, Region 5 Mercury Coordinator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Department of Environmental Quality Mercury Reduction Programs:
- Atmospheric Sources, Leah Granke, Air Quality Division, MDEQ
- Water Sources, Mark Fife, Water Bureau, MDEQ
- Pollution Prevention, Steve Kratzer, Environmental Science and Services Division (ESSD), MDEQ
Introduction of the Michigan Mercury Switch Sweep (M2S2), Cass Andary, Auto Alliance
The M2S2 Experience - One Recycler's Story, Ken Schram, Schram Auto Parts
The M2S2 Experience - Program Overview and How to Get on Board, Bill Stough, M2S2 Program Manager
The M2S2 Experience - Preventing Mercury From Entering Wastewater, Corky Overmeyer, Director, Environmental Services Department, City of Grand Rapids
The M2S2 Experience - Tales From a Clean Sweep Site, Tom Dewhirst, Kalamazoo County