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ECAR
Fact Sheet for Indiana
Regulations BACK to VIRTUAL TOUR The following fact sheet was prepared by the ECAR Center staff. Once prepared, each ECAR Center fact sheet undergoes a review process with the applicable state environmental agency(ies). You can check on the status of the review process here. Please read the disclaimer on the status page. While we have tried to present a summary of the essential information on this topic, you should be aware that other items, such as local regulations, may apply to you. What You Need to Know
Mercury can be found throughout vehicles, primarily in anti-lock brake switches, navigational displays, hood/trunk lighting and as a vapor in High Intensity Discharge lamps. Mercury switches account for more than 99% of mercury use in vehicles. Mercury is a highly toxic substance. The amount of mercury in one vehicle mercury switch (approximately one gram) can contaminate a 20-acre lake to the point where the fish should not be eaten. Some cars may contain no mercury components, while others may contain several. Removal of mercury switches from vehicles before crushing is an important part of managing your hazardous wastes. This fact sheet will give you a list of components to watch out for, as well as specific instructions on what to do with them. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has prepared a guidance document to help auto recyclers manage mercury. Much of that information is included in the fact sheet below. You can access the link to IDEM’s Compliance Manual for Auto Salvage Facilities under Other Relevant Resources. Regulations In the State of Indiana, hazardous waste regulations govern the storage and regulation of mercury components. It is recommended that you recycle mercury components because they contain liquid mercury. There are various sources of mercury in automobiles, including:
Mercury switches should be removed and recycled prior to storage, disposal or crushing of the vehicle. Unusable parts that are removed from vehicles and contain mercury cannot be disposed of in landfills or incinerated. They must be managed as hazardous waste. (See the ECAR Hazardous Waste Fact Sheet.) The hazardous waste rules cover storage, transportation, recordkeeping, and reporting. Depending on how much hazardous waste you generate, you may need to obtain an EPA hazardous waste number. For a complete review of these requirements see the RCRA Hazardous Waste Plain Language Guide. Mercury Switch and Lamp Storage. Always store mercury switches and lamps in a secured, covered location, that is designed to contain leaks and temperature extremes. Keep mercury switches and lamps away from open flames or other ignitable sources. Do not stack switches and lamps since they may crack and leak hazardous components, thereby incurring a potential expensive cleanup. Keep mercury switches and lamps off the ground to prevent them from coming in contact with water, which may result in contaminated runoff into creeks and streams. Do not store mercury switches and lamps around inside floor drains or outside storm drains. Response to Releases. Should your mercury-containing lamps or switches leak onto the ground, you must immediately contain all releases and determine whether any material resulting from the release is hazardous waste. If so, you must manage the hazardous waste in compliance with all applicable laws. You can minimize its chances of having spills/releases by removing anything that might be released from the vehicle during crushing activities prior to the vehicle being crushed. Crushing should only be done in areas where spillage or releases can be contained and prevented from coming into contact with the soil. Crushing Mercury Lamps and Switches. Although you are not required to remove mercury switches from vehicles upon arrival or prior to crushing activities, it is highly recommended that you do so, to avoid any releases to the environment that must be contained and remediated. Removal of the switches will help to ensure that the switch does not break and release mercury to the environment. Links to the Regulations. Use the following links to view the regulations pertaining to mercury. Indiana Hazardous Waste Regulations (Article 3) Federal EPA Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste When an inspector comes to your facility, there are certain things he or she checks to see if you are in compliance with environmental regulations. It makes good sense for you to perform a “self-audit” and catch and correct problems before they result in penalties. Also, there are some compliance incentives associated with self-audits (see Audit Policy Page). Use the following list to audit your mercury management program. Have all mercury switches been removed? Check to make sure that all components that may contain mercury have been removed and recycled prior to storing, disposal or crushing of the vehicle. Have mercury switches and lamps been stored safely? They should be stored in a secured, covered location, that is designed to contain leaks and temperature extremes. Are you prepared to handle mercury spills? You can minimize its chances of having spills/releases by removing anything that might be released from the vehicle during crushing activities prior to the vehicle being crushed. Should your mercury-containing lamps or switches leak onto the ground, you must immediately contain all releases and determine whether any material resulting from the release is hazardous waste. Best Management Practices (BMPs) Most regulations tell you what you have to do to be in compliance, but they don’t explain how to do it. That’s where “best management practices” come into play. BMPs are proven methods that help you to get into compliance and stay there. The following BMPs are recommended for management and disposal of vehicle parts containing mercury:
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