AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY
MAJOR SOURCE OF TOXIC MERCURY POLLUTION
Jeff Gearhart, Ecology Center, 734-663-2400 x117
Alexandra McPherson, Great Lakes United, 716-886-0142
Dean Menke, Environmental Defense, 202-387-3500 x138
Despite 1995 Commitments To End Its Use, US Automakers Continue To Use Mercury
In Autos
(January 22, 2001 -- Detroit) Automobiles are one of the nation's largest sources
of toxic mercury emissions, according to two studies--
Toxics in Vehicles: Mercury
and
Toxic by Design--released today by leading environmental organizations.
Despite practical, inexpensive alternatives and industry commitments to phase
out its use, mercury continues to be widely used in new automobiles. Mercury is
highly toxic to humans and wildlife and is released when automobiles are scrapped.
The organizations called on US automakers to immediately eliminate the use of
mercury in autos.
Toxics in Vehicles: Mercury -- a collaboration of the Ecology Center in
Ann Arbor, Michigan, Great Lakes United, based in Buffalo, New York, and the University
of Tennessee Center for Clean Products and Clean Technologies -- documents how
dangerous levels of mercury are released into the environment once cars leave
the road and enter vehicle disposal and recycling processes.
The bulk of mercury releases occur when contaminated steel, recovered from scrap
automobiles, is melted in electric arc furnaces (EAFs). The study estimates that
EAFs emit 15.6 metric tons of mercury each year, which is more than all manufacturing
sources combined. Automobiles are likely the single largest source of mercury-contaminated
scrap. The report finds that EAFs are not only the largest manufacturing source
of mercury air emissions in the US, but the fourth largest overallÑbehind only
coal-fired power plants(utility and commercial/industrial boilers), and municipal
and medical waste incinerators.
"Our report clearly documents how the unnecessary use of mercury in automobiles
is the primary culprit in contaminating the scrap steel recycling and recovery
system," said Charles Griffith, Auto Project Director at the Ecology Center. "These
new findings show that the auto industry is one of the nation's largest sources
of mercury pollution."
According to the second report --
Toxic by Design,released by Environmental
Defense -- auto manufacturers have continued to use mercury in product design
and purchasing decisions despite known concerns and the availability of practical,
cost-effective alternatives. The report also finds that mercury is released by
the manufacturers of automotive switches.
"Our studies show automakers are still using mercury, despite practical, low-cost
alternatives," said Dean Menke, Environmental Defense engineer. "The auto industry
needs to immediately eliminate mercury use to protect public health and the environment,"
said Dean Menke, Environmental Defense engineer.
Approximately 175 to 200 metric tons of mercury are in vehicles on the road today,
primarily in mercury switches in hood and trunk lighting and anti-lock braking
systems. One auto mercury switch contains nearly one gram of mercury, equivalent
to the amount of mercury found in household fever thermometers, which are now
being banned by many city and state governments due to increasing concern about
the health risks resulting from the disposal of mercury containing products. While
U.S. manufacturers continue to use mercury switches, international automakers
such as Toyota, Volvo and BMW have completely eliminated mercury switch applications
since 1993.
The findings of both reports support an action plan developed by the national
Clean Car Campaign for eliminating mercury hazards caused by automobiles. The
action plan calls on U.S. automakers to immediately eliminate the use of mercury
switches in new cars and trucks, label component parts and vehicles that contain
mercury, and take responsibility for the removal and safe collection of mercury
switches in the existing fleet of vehicles currently on the road. These recommendations
are also supported by over 50 environmental and public health groups.
"Just as we expect automakers to take responsibility -- and even recall -- vehicles
that pose safety or environmental hazards while on the road, they also need to
address the serious hazards once their products are sent to the scrap heap," said
Alexandra McPherson, Clean Production Coordinator at Great Lakes United. "This
is the Firestone problem in a different form, with mercury harming people once
the cars are off the road."
Both reports are available for viewing or downloading on-line, at:
http://www.cleancarcampaign.org/mercury.shtml
The
Ecology Center is a regional grassroots environmental organization,
which works for clean air and water, healthy communities, and environmental justice.
The Auto Project of the Ecology Center works to address the toxic and health issues
related to the production of automobiles and promotes cleaner vehicle technologies.
Great Lakes United is an international coalition dedicated to preserving
and protecting the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River ecosystem. Great Lakes United
develops and promotes effective policy initiatives, carries out educational programs
and promotes citizen action to assure clean water and air for all citizens.
Environmental Defense, a leading national nonprofit organization based
in New York, represents more than 300,000 members. Since 1967 we have linked science,
economics, and law to create innovative, equitable, and cost-effective solutions
to the most urgent environmental problems.
The
Mercury Policy Project, which promotes policies to eliminate mercury
uses and significantly reduce mercury exposures, was also helpful in the preparation
of these reports. Please refer to the Resource List at the web address above for
contact information on this and other organizations that are involved in mercury-related
issues.
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Additional background information and full versions of the reports are available
for viewing or downloading on-line, at:
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