The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Department of Toxic Substances Control has released the findings of its “wheel weight assessment.” The report’s conclusion makes a compelling case for steel wheel weights.
The study was conducted to measure the environmental impacts of lead alternatives in the wake of a law passed in the 2009 California legislature that bans the sale, installation and import of lead wheel weights in the state. The life-cycle study measured impacts associated with lead, steel and zinc wheel weights.
It concluded that steel "appears to be the preferred alternative for clip-on weights due to its comparatively low toxicity and reasonable manufacturing impacts." Adhesive wheel weights were not tested.
“As an increasing number of states take a look at this issue and take action to ban lead weights, reports like this one will play an important role in helping states make wise decisions about alternatives to lead,” says Kevin Keefe, director of marketing for Hennessy Industries Inc. Hennessy produces BADA wheel weights.
To read the full report, click here.
