N.J. governor signs mercury switch bill

By Bruce Geiselman

March 24 - New Jersey is the latest state requiring automakers to pay for the removal of mercury switches from junked cars prior to their being crushed, shredded and melted down for scrap.

Acting Gov. Richard J. Codey signed the Mercury Switch Removal Act on March 23, making New Jersey the third state to adopt legislation placing the financial burden for mercury switch removal on the auto industry.

"The switch removal program will lower the exposure of pregnant women and children to harmful mercury emissions, reduce the levels of mercury that build up in fish caught by our local fishermen, and aid the state's iron and steel melters in complying with New Jersey's mercury regulations," Codey said.

The New Jersey chapter of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries supported the bill, saying that without it, the state's foundries and steel mills would have difficulty meeting strict new mercury emission standards that New Jersey environmental officials are enacting.

"It creates a low-cost program to remove mercury from commerce before it becomes a serious problem for industry and the environment," said ISRI chapter President Fred Cornell.

For nearly 30 years, automakers used mercury in some light switches in automobiles. The process was banned in 2003, but more than 200 million cars containing mercury switches are still on the roads and eventually will make their way to scrap recyclers.

Under the new law, automakers must pay $2 for each switch removed and an additional 25 cents per switch to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for overseeing the program.

The Alliance of Automotive Manufacturers, a trade group, has repeatedly argued against requiring automakers to shoulder the expense of removing the switches. Automakers say recyclers should pay for the removal and disposal of mercury switches as part of their business expenses.

But supporters of bills placing the burden on manufacturers say the auto companies chose to use the switches despite environmental concerns.

Arkansas approved similar legislation this month, and Maine enacted the first program of this type.

Other states, including Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Washington are considering mercury switch removal bills.