Achievement Award Programs Search Results
Mercury Switch Removal Project in Fleets
King County , WA
Population: 1,507,319
Program Year: 2005
Abstract:
Mercury is a highly toxic and persistent environmental pollutant. Contamination is so widespread that in 2001the FDA issued an advisory recommending that pregnant women throughout the country limit their consumption of selected types of seafood. Most efforts to reduce mercury emissions are initiated at the stated or federal level. King County developed a local program aimed at reducing a significant source of mercury releases within the region. The program involves the removal of mercury-containing switches contained in tilt switches that operate lights under hoods and trunks in many types of vehicles. The mercury is released to the environment when the vehicles are shredded and melted for recycling. To address this problem, King County led a partnership with 12 public and private fleets to remove mercury switches from their vehicles. In 2004, the county recruited 12 fleet operators, including the county’s internal motor pool in a successful effort to remove mercury switches. A subsequent promotional campaign successfully drew attention to the project and continues to recruit more participants.
Contact:
Alexandra Thompson
Project Manager
Natural Resources and Parks
201 S. Jackson Street, #701
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 296-8454
Fax: (206) 296-4475
For more information regarding individual programs, please contact the county contact person listed. For more information about NACo's Achievement Award program,
please contact Kathryn Murphy
|
