| The State of California is not the only government to ban lead wheel weights. Below is a list of measures taken to reduce lead in wheel weights. - The European Commission banned the use of lead wheel weights in 2005 (Directive 2002/525/EC), and now most European wheels are balanced with zinc wheel weights.
- Japanese automobile manufacturers have already switched to using zinc or steel weights (Toxics Use Reduction Institute Final Report Five Chemical Study and the Ecology Center’s Lead-Free Wheels Survey).
- The State of Washington recently enacted legislation stating that a person who replaces or balances wheels on or after Jan. 1, 2011, must replace the weights with weights of alternative materials (House Bill 1033 [2009]).
- Maine enacted a ban on lead and mercury wheel-weight installation, effective Jan. 1, 2010 (Legislative Document 986 [2009]).
- In Vermont, tires on state vehicles may not have lead wheel weights as of Jan. 1, 2010, and any vehicle offered for sale in Vermont may not have lead wheel weights as of Sept. 1, 2011.
- Minnesota is voluntarily phasing out the use of lead wheel weights in some state vehicle fleets.
- The EPA’s National Lead Free Wheel Weight Initiative is a voluntary program for charter members to pledge to reduce or eliminate the use of lead wheel weights.
- The Center for Environmental Health and Chrysler, Perfect Equipment Inc., Hennessy Industries, and Plombco Inc. reached a legal agreement to phase out the use of lead wheel weights in California.
This information is intended as a basic overview and guidance on the new law on lead wheel weights in California. It does not replace or supersede federal or state laws. |
