Lead weights to be lifted from California

There are so many sources of pollution from motor vehicles that it's impossible to think of them all without exploring the smallest details. For instance, I just read Martin Zimmerman's article in the Los Angeles Times about a court settlement that will result in lead wheel weights being phased out of use by Chrysler in California. The Center for Environmental Health, a public interest watchdog, filed the claim, which they say will "end the annual release of 500,000 pounds of lead into the environment in California, which occurs when wheel weights break off of automobile wheels."

Thank heavens someone's looking out for the small stuff, which apparently adds up to big stuff. Expect other states to follow in California's environmental footsteps -- they always do.

Photo © Jason Fogelson