Michigan Environmental Council

Michigan
Environmental Report

Volume 22 . Number 2
April 2004

PURPOSE
Founded in 1980, MEC is a coalition of over 60 environmental, public health, and faith-based organizations with nearly 200,000 individual members. For over 20 years, MEC has provided a voice at the State Capitol. In addition to serving as a clearinghouse of environmental information, MEC develops public policy, educates elected officials and the public, and provides training and support to member organizations.

SUBSCRIBE

OFFICERS

Chairperson
Chris Graham,
Michigan Natural Areas Council

Vice Chair
Vicki Levengood,
National Environmental Trust

Vice Chair
Terry Miller,
Lone Tree Council

Treasurer
Tom Leonard,
West Michigan Environmental Action Council

Secretary
Brian Imus,
PIRGIM

MEC STAFF

President
Lana Pollack

Policy Director
James Clift

Associate Director
Patrick Diehl

Land Programs Director
Conan Smith

Special Projects Coodinator
Brad Garmon

Office Manager
Judy Bearup

Member Services Director
Michele Scarborough

Policy Specialist
David Gard

Policy Advisor
Dave Dempsey

Communication & Development Associate
Amber Shinn

Environmental Campaign Coordinator
Wendi Tilden

ECCO Field Director
Stephanie Anderson

Land Programs Assistant
Ben Stupka

MER Design & Layout
Rose Homa

Ann Arbor first to replace toxic lead in wheel weights

The City of Ann Arbor has started replacing lead wheel balancing weights with lead-free alternatives in vehicles in the city fleet, the Ecology Center reported in March. One to two lead wheel weights are applied to tire rims to balance the wheel for a smooth ride and long tire wear. The City has joined forces with Ecology Center's "Lead-Free Wheels" program to install zinc and iron weights on city vehicles. The replacement weights are being supplied to program participants at the same cost of lead-containing weights currently used.

Lead-free wheel weights help protect consumers and the environment from toxic lead. Recent studies have documented that on average, 13% of wheel weights fall off of vehicles during driving. This amount equates to nearly 66 tons of weights being deposited on roadways each year in Michigan. Because of this concern, the European Union Commission has banned the use of lead wheel weights as of July 2005.

Lead-Free Wheels program organizers are also calling on auto manufacturers and tire retailers to commit to phasing out the use of lead wheel weights by July 2005 in the U.S. "We commend the leadership of government fleet managers," said Jeff Gearhart of the Ecology Center.

"Ann Arbor is the first city in the country to begin phasing out the use of lead wheel weights; we expect many cities and states will follow their lead," he added.

Tom Gibbons, City of Ann Arbor Operations Analyst, agrees, "The transition to lead-free wheel balancing has been very easy. We're finding that the weights work as well or better than the lead weights we previously used. We hope the automakers will move to install lead-free weights on all new vehicles."

Because lead targets the nervous system, children and fetuses are especially vulnerable to lead's toxic effect. Lead is easily absorbed into the growing bodies, interfering with the developing brain and other organs and systems.

At the Ecology Center's request, State Sen. Liz Brater (D-Ann Arbor) is introducing legislation this spring to ban the sale of lead wheel weights in Michigan.