DRAFT WISCONSIN MERCURY SOURCEBOOK: AUTOMOTIVE

Mercury is used in automotive applications for lighting switches, antilock brake systems, and active ride control. These combined applications result in a calculated 9.8 metric tons per year of elemental mercury.Communities need to consider automotive use of mercury both at the production point of the vehicle and when the vehicle is disposed of or shredded at automobile salvage facilities. Vehicles are the most recycled product on the planet (94% of autos which go out of registration are recovered for recycling, and 75% of each vehicle by weight is recycled).However, the switches in cars are not generally recycled - except in Minnesota

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