Get the Lead Out
Lead-containing weights used to balance wheels on vehicles are one of the largest unregulated sources of lead in the country.
Lead
Lead pollution is a serious issue. Children and fetuses are especially vulnerable to lead's toxic effects. Lead is easily absorbed into growing bodies and can cause brain damage, kidney damage, hearing impairment and learning and behavioral problems in children.
Lead wheel weights
One to two lead wheel weights are applied to tire rims to balance the wheel for a smooth ride and long tire wear. Although some effort is made to collect and recycle these weights at the end of a vehicle's life, most of them are overlooked and often end up in the environment or as contaminants in the metal recycling process. A disturbingly large number fall off onto the road. It’s estimated that 1,600 metric tons of lead is released each year onto U.S. roadways from wheel weights that fall off during use and are gradually abraded into lead dust.
Alternatives
Environmentally-friendly alternatives include weights made from steel, tin, tungsten, and plastic. Because these non-toxic options exist, the European Union banned the use of lead wheel weights as of July 2005. It’s time for the U.S. to phase out the use of lead wheel weights.
Visit Lead-Free Wheels to find out which car models come without lead wheel weights. And when you have your next set of tires installed, ask for lead-free wheel weights. Your tire dealer may not have a safer alternative on hand, but will start to get the message that tire customers don’t want to pollute. Perhaps your tire dealer will follow the example of Main Street Tire & Auto in Vancouver, Washington – the first tire dealer on the West Coast to phase out the use of lead wheel weights.
