Action Alerts
A Call for Automakers to Switch Out Mercury Switches with Dealers
May 1, 2001
What's At Stake!
A Call for Automakers to Switch Out Mercury Switches with Dealers
In January, we sent a message to our Clean Car Pledgers describing the environmental
and human health impacts associated with the automobile industry's continued use
of mercury-added parts. These mercury-added parts, like the mercury switches used
in hood and trunk lighting devices and 4-wheel drive anti-lock braking systems,
have continued to be designed into today's cars and trucks. Since practical, low-cost,
mercury-free alternatives have been widely available and successfully used in
many models, we believe the industry must be held accountable for these ongoing
uses of mercury.
Our four-point action plan, which was described in the January update, calls for
the immediate elimination of mercury switches in new vehicles, as well as the
establishment of a mercury recovery program from cars and trucks on the road and
in scrap yards. In response to the release of our mercury reports, automakers
are phasing out the use of mercury switches; our biggest challenge now is removing
the switches in cars and trucks currently on the road. This is where we would
like to ask you for your help.
As consumers, you can take action in a concerted fashion by asking automakers
to take responsibility for the automotive mercury problem they created. The attached
letter you can send to automakers encourages them to establish a program, with
their dealerships, to remove mercury switches from vehicles currently on the road,
and replace them with mercury-free alternatives. We believe automakers would be
recognized as industry leader in establishing such a program, thereby bolstering
customer satisfaction and strengthening brand loyalty.
The Clean Car Campaign is actively promoting in-use and end-of-life automotive
mercury collection programs, at the state level and nationally. We now ask you
to let the industry know that consumers also expect automakers to accept responsibility
for the mercury problem they created, and to take proactive measures to address
it.
For more information about the problem with mercury in cars, please visit the
Campaign's website at: http://www.cleancarcampaign.org/mercury.html
Instructions To Respond Via The Web:
If you have access to a web browser, you can send the targets of this action a
free fax and sign the Clean Car Pledge (if you haven't already) by going to the
Environmental
Defense Member Action Site You will be required to log-in and establish a
password prior to taking the action. However, if you've already taken the Clean
Car Pledge, just type your email address in the form and hit submit. We strongly
encourage you to make edits directly to our sample letter (shown below), prior
to sending your letter.
Sample Letter
Subject: Automakers, Switch Out Mercury Switches with Dealers
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
I urge automakers to establish an exchange program that removes convenience-lighting
mercury switches from the vehicles currently on the road, and replaces them with
mercury-free alternatives. Such an exchange program could be conveniently established
at automobile dealerships. I support proactive initiatives such as this that show
an industry's stewardship for their products, the environment, and public health.
Mercury has a tremendous impact on our environment and on our health, particularly
our children's health. Mercury can affect a child's attention span and memory,
and even cause serious brain damage. Recent studies by the National Academy of
Sciences and the Center for Disease Control clearly show the irreversible impacts
mercury has on our health. Mercury is so toxic that one gram -- about the amount
used in one automotive switch -- can contaminate all the fish in a small lake
so people are advised not to eat them.
Please, help us all protect the health of our nation's children. With the cooperation
of auto dealerships, remove and recycle mercury switches from the vehicle currently
on the road.
Sincerely,
