"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. It is
important that we make sure that the water we drink and the air we
breathe is free of lead." TEAM DEAD WEIGHT
Jathan Kron
294-230th
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



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