LEXINGTON, KY - Mayor Jim Newberry announced July 7 that the Lexington Division of Fire and Emergency Services and the Division of Facilities and Fleet Management will begin eliminating the use of lead wheel weights on city vehicles, according to LEX 18 News.

Newberry said reducing the use of lead wheel weights used on city vehicles is one of the city's projects this year for EXCEL, a voluntary environmental leadership program administered by the state Division of Compliance Assistance, reported LEX 18 News.

Lexington Fire Chief Robert Hendricks said the Division of Fire and Emergency Services will ensure lead- free wheel weights made from steel, zinc or aluminum will be used in the future to balance wheels on fire vehicles.

David Loney, deputy director of the Division of Facilities and Fleet Management, said the division will do the same for the rest of the city's vehicle fleet. This will be in addition to other recycling and fuel-saving efforts already implemented by the Division of Fire and the Division of Facilities and Fleet Management, LEX 18 News reported.

Several fleets were recognized earlier this year by the National Partnership for Environmental Priorities for successfully eliminating lead from their operations.