The Dangers of Lead

How hunters, fishers, and the general public can stay safe from lead poisoning and keep our natural areas healthy.

Dangers of Lead to Humans

At least 4 million households have a member that is exposed to high levels of lead - seen most in children Approximately half a million children ages 1-5 are found with high blood lead levels Lead is a developmental toxicant and the harmful effects of lead on childrens development can occur without signs or symptoms Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 Lead can be found anywhere in the environment and is not a natural compound found in human bodies. When the human body ingests lead it confuses it with calcium and other essential nutrients used in metabolic reactions. Once lead is ingested it can either be flushed from the system through urination or accumulates inside the bones. Lead can remain inside the body for years. Symptoms of lead poisoning include weight loss, fatigue, infertility, abdominal pain, vomiting, memory loss, mood disorders, and declines in mental functioning.

Dangers of Lead to Wildlife

Around 20 million animals die each year from lead poisoning, with over 134 species affected. Animals come into contact with lead when eating the remains of other animals who have been killed with a lead shot. To the left is an image of a ballistic gelatin shot with lead and non-lead shots. Below is an x-ray image of the same ballistic gelatin showing the lead fragments.

 When a lead bullet comes into contact with flesh it breaks apart. The fragments are scattered even greater distances if the bullet strikes bone. This can bee seen below in the x-ray image of a deers neck. The black specks are lead fragments from the bullet. Copper, unlike lead, does not shatter when hitting flesh or bone. Instead copper bullets stay in one piece seen in the image blow.

 A recent study conducted by the University of North Dakota investigated the amount of lead fragments in venison samples collected from 30 deer. Of the 342 samples, of both ground and whole cuts, 34% contained metal fragments some up to 168 separate pieces. Ninety three percent of the metal fragments found were lead, while only 7% were copper. The contaminated samples were then fed to pigs, and within two days the pigs showed elevated levels of lead in their blood.

California Condors
California condors are coming into contact with lead pellets from carcasses that have been shot with lead based ammunition. Despite lead shots being banned in wetlands it is still used for hunting big game such as deer. California condors are not extinct yet, but still regularly poisoned by lead. Their principle source of exposure is from ingesting lead-based ammunition fragments, or in some cases pellets or shots, from carcasses that have been shot with lead-based ammunition. Myra Finkelstein, Wildlife Toxicologist University of Santa Cruz

Waterfowl
Ducks regularly ingest lead pellets from the bottom of lakes, wetlands, and streams, mistaking them as food and causing an accumulation of lead in their system. Although lead shots are banned for waterfowl hunting, many bird species such as golden eagles, bald eagles, turkey vultures, and ravens have been affected by lead. The ban of lead shots by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services in 1991 helped prevent death of millions of waterfowl birds. The ban of lead shots reduced the death of Mississippi Flyway mallards from lead poisoning by 64% and the ingestion of lead pellets by 78% in 1997. An increase in duck populations have been seen since 1997 and prevented 1.4 million deaths by banning lead shots. The banning of lead shots has helped 27 species of birds besides waterfowl.

Land Animals
Lead poisoning also affects many small mammals that ingest lead contaminated prey. There are also instances of lead exposure to domesticated cats and dogs.

Concentration of Lead in Shooting Ranges and Habitats

Three thousand tons of lead are shot into the environment every year. Eighty thousand tons are released into shooting ranges. Four thousand tons of lead are lost in ponds and streams. Over 75 wild bird species are at risk of lead poisoning. Bald eagles, golden eagles, and ravens are just a few of the species most at risk. These animals ingest lead shots or scavenge the remains of other animal carcasses.

Lead vs. Non-Lead Bullets

In recent years, the price of non-lead bullets have decreased significantly due to more manufacturers seeing the need for them. Many common manufacturers that now carry non-lead options include Hornady, Remington, Winchester, and Federal.

Lead vs. Non-Lead Fishing Gear

Lead based fishing sinkers have been outlawed in the United Kingdom, Canada, some states in America and all National Parks in the United States. Due to these bans, alternative materials for fishing sinkers have been developed including steel, brass, bismuth, and tungsten.

Laws and Regulations

Many laws and regulations regarding the use of lead have been passed by Congress addressing lead in paint, soil, air, water, and waste. The laws enforced to address lead contamination and hazards include: Toxic Substances Control Act, Residential LeadBased Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensations, and Liability Act
US Environmental Protection Agency

 Using lead bullets near condor habitats is illegal in California, but only strongly advised against in Utah. Fifty percent of hunters in the Zion area use nonlead ammunition A program recently enforced in Southern Utah has provided incentives for hunters to choose non-lead ammunition options. Were confident hunters will step up to protect condors in the state. We dont have any intentions of proposing or supporting legislation that would ban the use of lead ammunition in Utah.
Greg Sheehan, director of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

How Lead Enters the Environment

This map shows the sources of lead emissions in the United States and includes all facilities reported to emit greater than one pound of lead in 2002.

Sources
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Utah Department of Environmental Quality Utah Division of Wildlife Resources National Geographic Daily News Paris Landing: The Areas Ultimate Outdoor Guide Natural Resources Defense Council: Get The Lead Out Campaign huntingwithnonlead.org