The Illinois EPA estimates that the 280,000 vehicles junked annually in Illinois contain between 400 and 800 pounds of mercury from light switches. Once in the air, mercury can be deposited into rivers and lakes, contaminating fish and getting into the food chain, where it can pose a serious health risk. Steel mills that melt down metal switches are a leading source of mercury emissions after coal-fired power plants.
House Bill 5578, sponsored by Rep. Karen May (D-Highland Park) and Sen. Terry Link (D-Lake Bluff), requires the removal of mercury switches before vehicles are scrapped. This helps reduce toxic mercury emitted from steel-making facilities in the region.
The new law requires automakers to create mercury switch collection programs, offering storage containers to auto recyclers and dismantlers, and arranging for transportation of the removed switches. Participation by auto recyclers is voluntary during the first two years, however if the switch capture rate doesn't meet the required level after two years then it becomes mandatory for recyclers to participate and automakers would then have to pay auto-recyclers for every switch they remove.
Illinois EPA is required to help the automakers conduct outreach to inform auto recyclers about proper switch removal practices and encourage participation in the voluntary program.