Falk Requests EPA Action on Lead Wheel Weights

July 07, 2005
Topf Wells, 266-9069
County Executive

On Wednesday, July 6th, Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk requested that the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) begin the process of eliminating lead balancing weights from vehicles. As lead weights fall off of tires, they are ground up by traffic into particles that are eventually washed into streams and rivers. That form of lead can then contaminate water in the lake, stream, or riverbed. Falk said: “To have cleaner lakes and rivers, we need to take steps to eliminate or reduce different contaminants. If the EPA eliminates lead wheel weights, that is one less source of contamination for our rivers and lakes.” The full text of the letter is attached. # # # /Attachment