There’s a push at the Capitol to ban the use of lead wheel weights in Wisconsin.
The weights are used to balance the wheels of trucks and cars. State Representative Spencer Black (D-Madison) says those made out of lead can fall off and contaminate the environment. He says they come off of tires on rough roads or sharp turns, then other vehicle crush them and spread lead dust into the soil, water, or air. The Madison Democrat says the wheel weights cause an estimated four million pounds of lead to be dumped in the environment each year.
Black is introducing legislation that would ban lead wheel weights from being sold or installed on vehicles in Wisconsin. He says there are affordable alternatives that many companies have already started using.
Still, Black says the ban is needed to get them off of Wisconsin’s roads for good.
Three other states have adopted a similar ban.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 1:07)
