Environment Council of Rhode Island

Problem

While Rhode Island passed legislation in 2001 to phase out most products that contain mercury, that law does not address the mercury in auto parts. While it does not seem like a lot, right now the automobile fleet in Rhode island contains about 1,800 pounds of mercury. Approximately 10% of cars end up in the scrap heap each year, which means that each year RI must safely dispose of 180 pounds of Mercury.

Mercury is a persistent and toxic pollutant that bioaccumulates in the environment. The developing nervous systems of fetuses and young children are extremely sensitive to the effects of mercury, which impairs memory, attention span, language and motor skills. According to the National Academy of Sciences, over 60,000 babies are born annually at risk for adverse neurological effects from in-utero exposure to mercury. A single gram of mercury is toxic enough to contaminate all the fish in a 20-acre lake, making the fish unsafe to eat.

Forty-one states including Rhode Island have issued advisories warning pregnant women and women of childbearing age to restrict or avoid consuming fish from bodies of water contaminated with mercury. The Rhode Island Department of Health has advised children and pregnant women that eating any fish caught in Rhode Island waters risks their health.

Solutions

Non-toxic alternatives exist for mercury-containing switches used by the automotive industry. In 1998, the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers adopted the goal of virtual eliminating mercury emissions and began promoting the phase out of mercury uses. Rhode Island’s law has already begun to prevent the introduction of many products that contain mercury into the state’s solid waste stream, but now needs to be expanded to regulate auto parts that contain mercury.

Strategies

Support The Mercury Reduction And Education Act

The Mercury Reduction And Education Act would require manufacturers of motor vehicles sold in Rhode Island to establish and implement a collection program for mercury switches. It would also require auto manufacturers to fund a system to remove, collect, and recycle mercury-added components from motor vehicles at no cost to the owners.

Resources

For additional information, please contact
Sheila Dormody, Clean Water Action, Rhode Island (401) 331-6972
Sierra Club, RI Chapter (401) 521-4734
The Ecology Center's Clean Car Campaign