Program under way to change mercury switches in cars

Tuesday, June 10, 2003 | 9:05 a.m.

A million Nevada cars contain enough mercury to poison hundreds of lakes and waterways, AAA Nevada says, noting it has begun a program to replace the mercury switches that automatically turn on trunk and under-the-hood lights.

Through Monday the motorist road assistance company is sponsoring a project to replace mercury switches with nonpolluting, ball-bearing switches at three Las Vegas locations. The cost is free.

The locations are A-Allied Service Center, 4047 W. Desert Inn Road (364-0566); American Auto Care, 10177 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite P (259-2600); and Art's Auto Service, 7786 W. Sahara Ave. (255-0051). Appointments are required.

"Most people don't realize the cars they're driving may contain mercury," AAA Nevada spokesman Sean Comey said. "Replacement switches are equally effective and only take about five minutes to install."

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