'Old GM' Will Pay to Clean Up Mercury from Old Cars

Twelve states have reached a settlement with the bankruptcy trust established to resolve claims against the former General Motors Corp.

The settlement will help ensure the safe disposal of mercury-containing switches from automobiles manufactured by GM before it dissolved following bankruptcy. This settlement augments an earlier commitment by the “new” GM to make a similar payment.

“This step will help provide the funds necessary to retrieve these components from cars before they go out of commission,” said Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. “It is an important part of our efforts nationwide to reduce the level of mercury in the environment, which poses a health risk to everyone but especially to children.”

In November 2009, Massachusetts Attorney General Marftha Coakley filed a claim in Old GM’s bankruptcy case. 

The claim, filed on behalf of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), asserted that Old GM was required under the Massachusetts Mercury Management Act to fund or implement a program to collect, recover, and recycle mercury-containing switches from their cars when those cars reach their “end-of-life.”   For years, Old GM manufactured automobiles with mercury-containing switches.

“The National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program is a cost-effective way to remove mercury from old cars and get it out of the waste stream,” Coakley said.  “This program protects children and other residents of the Commonwealth by reducing mercury that could possibly be emitted to the environment.”    

As a result of the settlement, the mercury switch claims of all 12 states will be resolved by way of a total allowed claim of $2,845,000.

The money will be pooled with funds expected from other carmakers to run the mercury switch removal program. So far, nearly 3.5 million switches have been retrieved, representing approximately 7,650 pounds of mercury.

Exposure to this dangerous element can cause serious health effects to children and others, including damage to the central nervous system, kidneys, liver and immune system.

Joining Illinois in the settlement are Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Massachusetts, which led the effort in reaching the 12-state agreement.