Tire Industry Association

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	TIA Contact: Roy Littlefield
August 29, 2005	301-430-7280

TIA Applauds EPA Decision to Deny Lead Weight Petition

Bowie, MD – (August 29, 2005) The Tire Industry Association (TIA) today applauded the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) denial of the Ecology Center’s petition for a ban on lead wheel weights. EPA cited “insufficient data” as the reason they will not move ahead on a lead wheel weight ban at this time.

“EPA reinforced what TIA has said all along…there is no data proving a significant risk,” said Becky MacDicken, TIA’s Director of Government Affairs. “This is not to say that in the future the EPA won’t produce other data and proceed at that time with a rulemaking to ban the use of lead wheel weights, but it is a victory.”

TIA has been in meetings with the EPA for the last two years on this issue. TIA has stated that without sound science the Association could not support a ban on lead. The EPA remains concerned about lead in the environment because about 21 million pounds of used lead goes unaccounted for each year according to their research. The EPA is worried the lead is ending up in our nation’s water, land and roadsides as the result of improper recycling, the reusing of used weights and use by hobbyists.

“The market seems to be moving away from lead on its own without the need for a ban,” stated Dick Gust, TIA President. “TIA will continue to work with the EPA on this issue to gather facts and find other alternatives.”

TIA is beginning an education campaign with the tire industry about proper recycling methods. TIA encourages recycling used weights with battery recyclers, the wheel weight manufacturers or second party smelters. Good hygiene is also important when handling lead. TIA encourages tire techs to wash their hands if they have come into contact with lead before eating, drinking or touching their faces.

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TIA is an international association representing all segments of the tire industry, including those that manufacture, repair, recycle, sell, service or use new or retreaded tires, and also those suppliers or individuals who furnish equipment, material or services to the industry. The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has a history that spans more than 80 years and includes several name changes. Originally known as the National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association (NTDRA), the organization gave birth over the years to the American Retreaders Association (ARA) and the Tire Association of North America (TANA). ARA changed its name to the International Tire & Rubber Association (ITRA) and merged with TANA in 2002 to form the current Tire Industry Association (TIA), which now represents every interest in the tire industry.

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