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 Wheel weights are clipped to the rims of every automobile wheel in the United States in order to balance the tires. These weights often come loose and fall off. They are either washed into storm sewers and end up in waterways or are gathered during street cleaning and placed in municipal landfills. The weights are susceptible to atmospheric corrosion. Currently, there are no regulatory controls governing the use of lead wheel weights.
Lead Wheel Weight Quick Facts
- There are 200 million autos and light trucks on the nation's roadways.
- 16 million new autos are produced annually in the United States.
- An average of 4.5 ounces of lead is clipped to the wheel rims of every automobile in the United States.
- Approximately 50 million pounds of lead is used annually to produce tire weights worldwide in autos and light trucks.
- 75% is recycled by secondary lead smelters.
- 25% (or 12.5 million pounds annually) is uncontrolled or unmanaged in the environment.
- 13% of the 12.5 million pounds (1.6 million pounds) is lost when wheel weights fall off during normal driving conditions (e.g., hitting a pot hole).
- 87% of the 12.5 millions pounds (10.9 milion pounds) is sold or given to hobbyists for recreational purposes (e.g., melting down to make fishing sinkers).
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Policy & Legislation