Weights from China - not only lower quality, but possibly also hazardous to the health

A spectral analysis of cheap weights from China brings worrying problems to light. Zinc weights contain a large number of banned substances that exceed the maximum limits permissible in this country several times over. Apart from the lead that has been banned since July 1, 2005, cadmium* is also present at a level 23,730 times higher than is permissible in this country. Using these cheap weights may possibly mean saving money at the expense of the health of technicians and car drivers.
This cocktail of materials can also cause additional problems: due to the various densities of the used raw materials, the examined weights differed considerably from the nominal weight. In many cases, this would make it necessary to rebalance the vehicle and so the apparently cheaper weight would lead to considerable additional costs.

In the Download area, you can read the special report from the latest issue of the Reifenzeitung.

* Cadmium is classified as "extremely toxic" and is suspected of being carcinogenic, of being hazardous to organs, the central nervous system and the immune system and of reducing fertility.