These switches are far different from the "normal", bullet-shaped capsule mercury switches members have been removing from older vehicles in accordance with the association's agreement with the DEC. (View photos of switches below.)

This switch design and composition are entirely different. This mercury in this switch is obviously solidly encased in a hard plastic shell. You'll note in the photographs that both switches are identical in dimensions and shape and both are made by the same manufacturer- Ate.

Checklist for Automotive Mercury Switch Shipping

1. Place no more than 450 intact automotive mercury switches inside the zip-lock plastic bag and seal. 450 switches = .98 lbs of mercury. Do not place any other materials in the bag! No elemental mercury, no switches that are broken or corroded enough to leak in transport, no wiring, and no other lighting assembly parts.
   
2. Place the sealed zip-lock bag inside the 6" hard-plastic container and tightly secure the lid.
   
3. Cover all sides of the closed hard-plastic container with bubble wrap and place it in the 6" x 6" x 4" corrugated cardboard box.
   
4. Completely fill out the Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator Certification form and place it on top of the hard-plastic container.
   
5. Close the corrugated cardboard box and secure all seams with 2" wide clear packaging tape.
   
6. Fill out a FEDEX shipping label and specify ground transport only! The package gross weight must be less than 3.8 lb and contain 450 switches or less to ensure the package contains no more than 1 lb of mercury. List contents as automotive switches.
   
7. Place FEDEX label on package and send out with daily pickup*
   SEND SWITCES TO:
   Monroe County Environmental Services HHW
   444 East Henrietta Road, Building 15
   Rochester, New York 14620
   

* Shipping cost for locations with FEDEX daily pickup service will be between $3.40 and $4.20. If you do not have daily pickup service, take the package to your nearest FEDEX customer counter where cost will be between $4.40 and $5.20.

Note that label on the switch (left) clearly states that the switch contains mercury, while the label on the switch (right) makes no reference to the mercury content (circled in red). The only differences in the switches are the label, and parts numbers on the face of the switches.




These switches both came from 1995-1999 Ford Explorer vehicles and can be found bolted to the frame near the transmission.

Be aware of these switches and make sure your employees are aware of them to avoid any breakage and spilling of the mercury contents inside.

Standard "bullet/capsule" style mercury switch: