Jathan Kron

294-230^th Street PO BOX 148

West Branch Iowa 52358

319-430-8220

Dear Mr. Root,

My name is Jathan Kron and I am a 7th grade middle school student at West Branch Iowa. My science teacher, Dr. Hector Ibarra has motivated students such as myself to work on environmental science projects. His science students have consistently placed number 1, 2 or 3 in nationally recognized eCybermission environmental science projects that have resulted in the implementation of new Iowa state laws. Approximately 1800 USA middle school science teams enter this contest annually. (http://www.eCybermission.org)

Most recently, because of the work of Dr Ibarra's science students, oil filters have been banned from Iowa landfills. Mercury containing thermostats are now regulated by Iowa passed by the 2008 Iowa Legislature. House File 2669 establishes a program for the collection, recycling of and bans the sale of mercury thermostats. (http://www.mercuryhazards.org)

I and 3 other student team members are currently working on a U.S. Army sponsored eCybermission science project involving the study of the hazards of lead wheel weights in our environment. Our studies include testing, creating community awareness, education, doing community presentations, involving policy makers and working with scientists.

We are currently working with Dr. Michael Wichman at the University of Iowa Hygienic Lab in Coralville and Ankeny Iowa. michael-wichman@uiowa.edu He is assisting our eCybermission science team nicknamed "Dead Weight" with environmental testing of lead wheel weights. We are basically testing the environmental affects of acid rain, sand-salt, and acidic (vinegar like) landfill conditions on lead wheel weights. Our team thinks that determining lead solubility under various conditions could enhance understanding of the formation of hazardous and potentially toxic lead compounds. is available upon request. Our team experimental hypothesis is: "If lead wheel weights are exposed to natural environmental conditions then soluble hazardous lead compounds will be formed." Our lead wheel weight educational awareness hypothesis is: "If the public becomes more aware of the environmental dangers of lead wheel weights and is given alternative wheel balancing choices then there will be a decrease in lead entering the environment.”

Although the EPA has not yet called for an outright ban on the sale and installation of lead wheel weights our team thinks that your extensive study "Lead Loading of Urban Streets by Motor Vehicle Wheel Weights" is very convincing in "proposing that lead from wheel weights contributes to the lead burden of urban populations.” Our team will be presenting our lead wheel weight concerns to Iowa lawmakers and would appreciate being able to reference your historical lead wheel weight study. Our science team thinks that by making policymakers more aware of your pioneering study and our current lead wheel weight science project that it could potentially result in a new Iowa environmental law. Our team would appreciate any advice or comments you would be willing to share with us concerning our science project. An email address to contact us is: BillKron@Lcom.net. Our team advisor is Dr. Hector Ibarra and can be reached at : hibarraia@gmail.com

http://www.uhl.uiowa.edu/aboutuhl/news/archive/deadweight/index.xml

Sincerely yours,

Jathan Kron

Science research team "Dead Weight" recognizes the 
need to protect the public from exposure to lead hazards. 
There are no federal regulatory controls governing use of lead 
wheel weights. Environmental health hazards associated with lead 
wheel weights are a preventable problem. People are exposed to 
lead fragments and dust when lead wheel weights fall from motor 
vehicles onto the nation's roadways and are then abraded and 
pulverized by traffic. Lead wheel weights on and alongside roadways 
can contribute to soil, surface and groundwater contamination and 
pose hazards to downstream aquatic life.
       Lead negatively affects every bodily system. While it is 
injurious to people of all ages, lead is especially harmful to 
fetuses,children, and adults of childbearing age. Effects of lead 
on a child's cognitive, behavioral, and developmental abilities may 
necessitate large expenditures of public funds for health care and 
special education. Irreversible damage to children and subsequent 
expenditures could be avoided if exposure to lead is reduced.

"Save the earth from pollution with a 'green' smart energy solution."

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