Binational Toxics Strategy

This page contains links to information related to automotive mercury, including:

• information on how to find, remove, and replace mercury switches used in convenience lighting in various types of vehicles;
• guidance from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) on regulatory issues related to auto mercury switch removal;
• information about NYSDEC programs to promote proper management of mercury-containing switches in autos.

NYDEC has found that the number of mercury switches in scrapped autos averages 0.5 per vehicle.

Information on this page was supplied by NYSDEC, as well as by the Auto Alliance.  You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, available as a free download, to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more about PDF, and for a link to the free Acrobat Reader.

HOW TO FIND

Vehicles that have Mercury Switches:(PDF, 1 page, 4KB) A list of vehicle makes and models that contain mercury switches in hood and trunk lighting assemblies. The list was developed by Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Chrysler Procedure:(PDF, 1 page, 384KB) Step by step instructions on how to remove* and replace the mercury switch in one style of Chrysler hood lighting assembly. The replacement of the mercury switch in this type of assembly can be done in about 30 seconds and does not require removal of the assembly from the vehicle. The lighting assembly is commonly found in Jeeps, pickup trucks, and Suburban Utility Vehicles in 1985 to 1995 model years.

Ford Procedure:(PDF, 1 page, 459KB) Step by step instructions on how to remove* and replace the mercury switch in most Ford hood and trunk lid lighting assemblies. The replacement of the mercury switch in this type of assembly can be done in about 2 minutes and requires removal of the assembly from the vehicle. These two piece molded plastic assemblies are found in Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models dating from 1970 to the present.

1998 Ford Trunk Lighting Procedure:(PDF, 1 page, 695KB) Step by step instructions on how to to remove* and replace the mercury switch in riveted trunk lid lighting assemblies for 1998 Fords. The replacement of the mercury switch in this type of assembly can be done in about 3 to 5 minutes and requires removal of the assembly from the vehicle.

GM Hood Procedure:(PDF, 1 page, 839KB) Step by step instructions on how to remove* and replace the mercury switch in most GM hood lighting assemblies. The replacement of the mercury switch in this type of assembly can be done in about 2 minutes and does not require removal of the assembly from the vehicle. These assemblies are found mainly in Chevrolet and GMC model cars and light trucks, but may also be found in other GM models (i.e. Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Buick) dating from 1970 to the present.

GM Hood Procedure--Rectangular Hood Lighting Assemblies:(PDF, 1 page, 472KB) Step by step instructions on how to remove* and replace the mercury switch in GM rectangular hood lighting assemblies. The replacement of the mercury switch in this type of assembly can be done in about 30 seconds and does not require removal of the assembly from the vehicle.

GM Trunk Procedure (pdf file):(PDF, 1 page, 686KB) Step by step instructions on how to remove* and replace the mercury switch found in most GM trunk lighting assemblies. The replacement of the mercury switch in this type of assembly can be done in about 2 minutes and requires the removal of the assembly from the vehicle. These assemblies are found in Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Buick cars dating from 1970 to the present. Note: Other types of molded or riveted assemblies not amenable to replacement are also found in the same models.

Auto Alliance Brochure:(PDF, 1 page, 155KB) A generic brochure for the automotive recycling industry explaining how to remove, collect, and recycle mercury switches from end-of-life vehicles. The brochure, "Getting Mercury Out of Cars", is being distributed by the Automotive Alliance in cooperation with various state environmental agencies.  A Cover Letter (PDF, 1 page, 80KB) from the Auto Alliance accompanies the brochure.

* The procedure to simply remove the switch from the assembly is useful for collision shops and automotive recycling facilities, or when the vehicle or part of the vehicle containing the lighting assembly is at end of life (eg. many cab and police fleet vehicles are found with assemblies removed prior to the vehicle reaching end of life).

GUIDANCE ON REGULATORY ISSUES RELATED TO AUTO SWITCHES

NYSDEC has developed guidance (PDF, 2 pp, 10KB) to 9 Regional offices, sent along with the Auto Alliance brochure (PDF, 1 page, 155KB) on how to respond to questions from automotive recycling yards about mercury switch removal, particularly questions regarding regulatory implications.

NYSDEC PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE AUTO MERCURY SWITCH REPLACEMENT

NYSDEC has developed a voluntary public program to replace automotive mercury lighting switches with ball-bearing replacements for on-the-road vehicles. The labor to do the replacement work is provided for free by participating auto service shops and the replacement switches are purchased with EPA grant funds.  A press release (PDF, 1 page, 35KB) announces the details of this program.

In addition, NYSDEC has developed a Mercury Switch Replacement Poster (PDF, 1 page, 1.84MB) to promote public participation in replacing automotive lighting mercury switches with ball-bearing switches in on-the-road vehicles. The posters are displayed at service shops where the public can see them and make a request for the free installation of a ball-bearing switch. 

NYSDEC has also developed a Mercury Switch Replacement Flyer (PDF, 1 page, 2.3MB) to promote free automotive mercury switch replacement to the public.  Fun facts, color and graphics.