One ounce of lead can contaminate over one million liters of water.

"If the public becomes more aware of the environmental dangers of
lead wheel weights and is given alternative wheel balancing choices then
there will be a decrease in lead entering the environment. It is
important that we make sure that the water we drink and the air we
breathe is free of lead." TEAM DEAD WEIGHT
Most weights are lost on city streets or highways when vehicles hit curbs, bounce over potholes, stop or accelerate suddenly, or turn sharply. Once lost from vehicles, they are worn down by traffic and the lead is spread by wind, water and foot traffic. Storm water can sweep this lead into nearby creeks and sewers, ultimately washing it into nearby waterways where it can adversely affect water quality, especially groundwater and aquatic ecosystems. In addition, discarded and highway deposited lead wheel weights can be swept up and deposited in landfills where they readily react with landfill bacteria produced acetic acid to form the highly toxic and water soluble compound lead acetate. One ounce of wheel weight lead has the potential to contaminate over one million liters of water. http://www.smartenergy4kids.org/images/dilute.vinegar.leadww.1-10.html Also, small lead particles from highway pulverized wheel weight lead can be tracked into homes where they add to the lead exposure of individuals who live near busy streets.


           Science research team "Dead Weight" recognizes the 
need to protect the public from exposure to lead hazards. 
There are no federal regulatory controls governing use of lead 
wheel weights. Environmental health hazards associated with lead 
wheel weights are a preventable problem. People are exposed to 
lead fragments and dust when lead wheel weights fall from motor 
vehicles onto the nation's roadways and are then abraded and 
pulverized by traffic. Lead wheel weights on and alongside roadways 
can contribute to soil, surface and groundwater contamination and 
pose hazards to downstream aquatic life.
       Lead negatively affects every bodily system. While it is 
injurious to people of all ages, lead is especially harmful to 
fetuses,children, and adults of childbearing age. Effects of lead 
on a child's cognitive, behavioral, and developmental abilities may 
necessitate large expenditures of public funds for health care and 
special education. Irreversible damage to children and subsequent 
expenditures could be avoided if exposure to lead is reduced.

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