PDF version, Part 1 -- Questions and Answers for Purchasers
PDF version, Part 2 -- Purchasing Specifications

Purchasing for Pollution Prevention: Vehicles Fact Sheet

As agencies at all levels of government search for funds to remove mercury switches from their existing vehicles, government purchasers may still be buying new cars in which mercury is present. Although mercury switches have been primarily phased out, other vehicle components still contain mercury. These components are not usually required in government vehicles, however, so certification from vendors should be required to ensure that no vehicle purchased through a government contract contains mercury.

• Why should governments buy mercury-free vehicles?
• Where is the mercury in cars? What are the substitutes?
• If auto manufacturers have already phased out mercury switches, why do we need to specify mercury-free vehicles when purchasing new cars?
• Will purchasing only mercury-free vehicles prevent government agencies from getting the vehicles they need?
• Recommended specification
• Actual specifications used by a state government
• For more information

Why should governments buy mercury-free vehicles?

• Governments that are currently spending money to remove mercury components from existing vehicles can eliminate this expense in the future by purchasing cars without mercury components.



• To protect the public from mercury exposure, most state and local governments spend considerable money issuing and publicizing fish advisories, monitoring mercury levels in fish, and regulating mercury emissions from smelters that recycle used cars. By buying mercury-free vehicles, governments can stop adding to the problem of mercury contamination.



• Purchasing offices can participate in their government's mercury action plan or mercury reduction program by minimizing mercury purchases, encouraging manufacturers to make products without mercury, and ensuring that manufacturers of mercury-free products have a large-volume customer. To find out if your government has a mercury reduction program, contact your local or state environmental office.



• Governments can avoid liability that might arise if a government-owned vehicle contributes mercury to a contaminated site.

Where is the mercury in cars? What are the substitutes?

• High-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, which usually have a bright-blue tint, contain mercury. Regular mercury-free headlamps are adequate for most government vehicle applications.



• Backlit LCD screens in entertainment or navigational systems contain mercury in the tiny fluorescent lamp that provides backlighting. There is no appropriate substitute where a backlit LCD screen is required.



• Mercury-containing fluorescent lamps provide backlighting of dashboard displays in certain models. Dashboard displays with non-fluorescent lights are adequate and common.



• The major US auto manufacturers phased out mercury switches in convenience lighting and antilock brake systems (ABS) as of January 2002. Older models may contain mercury switches in these vehicle components.

If auto manufacturers have already phased out mercury switches, why do we need to specify mercury-free vehicles when purchasing new cars?

• None of the major automakers have agreed to completely phase out mercury components, indicating that they may be planning to add other mercury-containing features to vehicles in the future.



• While HID headlamps and other mercury-containing components such as mercury lamp backlit dashboard displays are now available only in higher-end vehicles, many expect them to become more common, and even standard, in a growing number of models.



• By specifying mercury-free vehicles, government agencies can discourage manufacturers from adding mercury-containing features in the future.

Will purchasing only mercury-free vehicles prevent governments from getting the vehicles they need?

• Not in most cases. Certain departments with special vehicle needs, such as navigational or other display systems with backlit LCD screens, may need to allow mercury lamps in those specific components. Departments that buy fleet or general-use vehicles will have no problem getting the functionality they need from mercury-free vehicles.

Recommended specification

If no special mercury-containing components are required, state the following under "Environmental Requirements" or another appropriate section of the RFP:

• Mercury is toxic to the nervous system and mercury contamination has resulted in fish consumption advisories and other problems throughout the U.S. [Governments may wish to include local mercury problems here.] As a result of the known environmental and human health impacts of mercury, [purchasing entity] requires that no vehicle sold through this contract may contain mercury in any form, including mercury-containing lights, switches, LCD screens, ABS switches, HID headlamps, or other components.

If the purchaser is buying specialty vehicles that require navigational or entertainment systems with LCD screens, state the following under "Environmental Requirements" or another appropriate section of the RFP:

• Mercury is toxic to the nervous system and mercury contamination has resulted in fish consumption advisories and other problems throughout the U.S. [Governments may wish to include local mercury problems here.] As a result of the known environmental and human health impacts of mercury, [purchasing entity] requires that no mercury be present in the vehicle except in backlighting of LCD screens. All mercury components must be disclosed for all vehicles bid.

This language can also be adapted if other mercury-containing components are required.

Actual specifications used by a state government

In its 2001 request for bids, Minnesota required disclosure of mercury and vinyl components.

• Actual specifications (PDF)

For more information:

• Clean Car Campaign



• Auto Mercury Switch Removal With Useful Links



• Wisconsin Mercury Sourcebook Automotive Sector