09:25 AM PST on Saturday, December 4, 2004

By GARY CHITTIM / KING 5 News

SEATTLE – A hit-and-run collision put one King County Sheriff's cruiser out of service and destined for the wrecking yard, but first, a technician removed a small box from under the dented hood.

Mercury switches use a small drop of mercury to conduct an electrical current that turns on and off those little convenience lights under the hoods and in the trunks of cars.

KING

Mercury switches use a small drop of mercury to conduct an electrical current to turn on and off those little convenience lights under the hoods and in the trunks of cars.

There are two switches in each of the older government vehicles.

And when you consider all the government vehicles in King County:

"We think that between 35 to 108 pounds of mercury is released each year through the shredding and incineration of scrap automobiles," said Ken Armstrong, Local Hazardous Waste Program.

And with those thousands of other cars in wrecking yards across the county, we could all be exposed to a toxin blamed for nerve and learning disorders, and birth defects.

"Because the mercury is then released into the environment, goes up into the air, comes back down and settles in water," said Armstrong.

Now, mechanics for King County and 12 other agency fleets inside the county will pop the switches and send them off for proper disposal and recycling.

And auto manufacturers are also doing their part because after 2004 American manufacturers will replace the mercury switches with new switches that use good old, dependable, non-toxic, ball-bearing technology, which will prevent future exposure. And a simple snip under the hood will help reduce the existing problem.

King County expects to remove 500 switches by the end of the year and organizers hope other agencies, local garages and wrecking yards will start their own programs.