ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (June 17, 2015) — The Motorist Assurance Program of the Automotive Maintenance & Repair Association (AMRA/MAP) is supporting efforts to ban lead wheel balancing weights.
“The automotive repair industry was glad to see lead removed from gasoline during the 1970s,” AMRA/MAP said in a June 15 release. “More recently, the auto industry, along with the U.S. EPA and health officials, are realizing the harmful effects of lead now found to be contaminating our air, soil and water supply.”
AMRA/MAP quoted a 2006 U.S. Geological Survey study which said U.S. vehicles carry approximately 130 million pounds of lead wheel weights, and approximately 3 percent of those weights fall off of vehicles every year.
“When lost on roadways, lead can contaminate sources of drinking water and cause human developmental harm,” it said.
The U.S., Canada and Europe are all considering a ban on the manufacture and distribution of lead wheel weights, according to AMRA/MAP.
The press release contained a map of the U.S. highlighting those states that have banned lead wheel weights or are considering a ban.
California, Washington state, Minnesota, Illinois, New York, Vermont and Maine have passed legislation to ban lead wheel weights, AMRA/MAP said. Iowa, Wisconsin, Maryland and Connecticut are considering such bills, it said.