TEAM DEAD WEIGHT CREATES A SUSTAINABLE COMMMUNITY MODEL FOR THE PHASE IN OF LEAD FREE WHEEL WEIGHTS.

"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

Team Dead Weight Suggests A Community Model To Phase In Lead Free Wheel Weights.

Our project has impacted and made a difference in our community! There has been an increase in the awareness of the hazards of lead wheel weights. Employees of local tire service centers are aware of potential health hazards when installing lead wheel weights. Dodge Street Tire announced, “We care about the environment! That is why we are the first in town to offer steel wheel weights”. The police chief, mayor, and school superintendent have mandated phasing out lead wheel weights on police, city, and school vehicles. State legislators have introduced three bills to phase out the lead in wheel weights.

All communities benefit if lead in wheel weights is phased out. If a safe substance is used in wheel weights, lead is eliminated from entering the environment. There is a solution to the problem. Replicating our model in other communities can be accomplished: 1) through surveys, brochures and presentations to increase awareness of citizens, policy makers, and tire service owners about the hazards of lead wheel weights and the alternative of installing lead free wheel weights; 2) by crafting bills to phase out the installation of lead wheel weights; and 3) by working with legislators, the DNR, and environmental committees to encourage them to support the bills to become law.

Ultimately, our goal is to eliminate the lead in wheel weights. To accomplish this, we recommend replication by communities that share our vision. Our website, <www.leadzero.org>, informs the public about the hazards of lead wheel weights. For communities to proceed with the project, we recommend conducting research to learn of health problems associated with lead wheel weights. Success includes the need to: 1) establish partnerships with research facilities to complete lead solubility testing; 2) create educational materials to improve community awareness; 3) work cooperatively with community decision makers to phase out lead wheel weights on city vehicles; 4) contact state policy makers to craft a bill to present to legislative committees; and 5) know a significant difference can be made in the community.

We began working on our issue in August. The time required depends on: 1) establishing partnerships with scientists, tire centers, and policy makers; 2) making presentations to community citizens; 3) contacting legislators; and 4) once the legislative process begins, contacting policy makers. Commitment, dedication, and persistence are key components for success. Currently, California is the only state to take action phasing out the lead in wheel weights. Representative Kaufmann tells us that passage of our bill looks good. Our goal is to make Iowa a leader in addressing environmental issues. Change is coming to America. Policy makers are supportive. The time is right to phase out the use of lead in wheel weights!


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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