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Guide for Appliance Recyclers June 2004 <br /> the environment. (Scrap metal recyclers include used appliance dealers, appliance <br /> recyclers, and scrap metal recyclers.) if mercury switches are not removed from major <br /> appliances, mercury has the potential to be released to the environment when the <br /> appliances are shredded and melted to make new steel. Appliance parts that have <br /> mercury and are discarded in landfills may potentially release mercury into the <br /> environment through the landfill leachate. <br /> Improper management of discarded major appliances that contain mercury switches <br /> represents a potential source of mercury release when considering the amount of <br /> mercury in each switch and the large number of major appliances that reach the end of <br /> their useful lives each year. Most appliance manufacturers are using alternative <br /> switches in new products; however, the appliances that already contain mercury will <br /> remain in use and in the waste stream for years to come. <br /> What is the purpose of this manual? <br /> This manual will provide general guidance to scrap metal recyclers about how to find, <br /> remove, and manage mercury switches from major appliances in compliance with the <br /> latest California laws and regulations. If anything in this guide is inconsistent with <br /> California's laws and regulations, you are required to follow the current laws and <br /> regulations. <br /> BACKGROUND <br /> • What is a mercury switch? <br /> A mercury switch is a sealed container that holds elemental mercury and that is used for <br /> completing or breaking an electric circuit, like the convenience light in a chest freezer, or <br /> for opening and closing a valve, like a flame sensor. Mercury switches are relatively <br /> small and come in various shapes, including bullet-shaped capsules and pellets, <br /> elongated bulbs and probes, and thin capillary tubes. Mercury switches can be made of <br /> steel, plastic, or glass. <br /> What types of mercury switches are contained in major appliances? <br /> Two types of mercury switches may be found in major appliances. <br /> "Tilt," or "positional," switches measure movement. Such a switch is part of the <br /> mechanism that turns a light, motor, or pump on or off by creating an electrical <br /> connection inside a mercury-filled pellet that usually has a wire attached to each end. <br /> The mercury moving within the switch responds to changes in position and will either <br /> complete or break an electrical circuit to turn an appliance (or its light) on or off. <br /> A "thermoelectrical," or"safety valve," switch is used in flame sensors in gas-fired <br /> appliances. The ability of mercury to expand when heated and contract when cooled is <br /> used to regulate gas flow. Mercury is contained in a probe located in the pilot flame. <br /> When the pilot flame heats the mercury and causes it to expand, a diaphragm is opened <br /> that allows gas to be supplied to the pilot light. If the pilot is not lit, the mercury cools <br /> • and shrinks, and causes the diaphragm to close and shut off the gas supply. <br /> 3 <br />