BUFFALO POLICE FLEET SHEDS TOXIC MERCURY

April 25, 2001

BUFFALO--Automobiles contain large amounts of mercury in tilt switches used in hood and trunk lighting devices. The Buffalo Police Department has joined forces with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and Great Lakes United by participating in a Western New York Program to replace the switches with mercury-free alternatives. Mercury is highly toxic to humans and is released to the atmosphere when autos are shredded and then melted to make new steel.

"As a community, it is in our best interest to ensure that mercury does not enter the environment" said Tom Corbett, an environmental chemist who works in the NYSDEC Buffalo office. " The Buffalo Police Department is leading by example in the fight to prevent mercury pollution", Corbett said.

Each switch contains one gram of mercury, approximately the same amount of mercury found in household fever thermometers. Thermometers are now being banned by many city and state governments due to increasing concern about the health risks associated with disposal of mercury containing products. According to a new report released by the Center for Disease Control, the number of children exposed to health-threatening levels of mercury in the womb has risen to 375,000.

Nearly 200 tons of mercury remains in vehicles on the road today. Although U.S. automakers have committed to phasing out the use of mercury switches, twenty-two models in the 2001 cars still contain mercury in the tilt switch. Foreign automakers phased out the switch in the early 1990s in response to Sweden's mercury switch ban.

"We are committed to managing wastes in a responsible manner," said Rocco J. Diina, Commission of the Buffalo Police Department. "This project is good for the environment and helps to protect the health of our community," concluded Rocco.

State legislation mandating manufacturer collection systems for all mercury added products sold in the state has been introduced by Assemblyman Brodsky and Senator Balboni. Alexandra McPherson, Clean Production Coordinator for Great Lakes United voiced support stating, "We believe automakers should take responsibility for this problem by establishing a collection program for vehicle components that contain mercury. "

For Information:

Alexandra McPherson, Great Lakes United: 886-0142
Tom Corbett, NYS DEC, 851-7255
Lieutenant Baehre, Buffalo Police Department, 851-4561