Reply #2: not to mention wildlife [View All]

[iverglas]

http://www.bconnex.net/~smorel/trumpet/wye1.html

Obstacles to Overcome

When Wye Marsh <in Ontario> began re-introducing Trumpeter Swans <which had been wiped out by hunting earlier in the 20th century>, there was no indication that lead poisoning would be an issue. Waterfowl occasionally ingest spent lead shot (mistaking it for grit), resulting in poisoning, and frequently death. It appears Trumpeters are no exception to lead poisoning - in fact, they are perhaps more prone to it than other waterfowl, because their long necks enable them to reach deep into the sediment where lead shot may be found. After the illness and death of several swans, a ban restricting the use of lead shot in hunting was established, but research concluded that lead shot would continue to be available for decades, due to its slow sinking rate into the sediment. The Wye Marsh, in conjunction with the Severn Sound Remedial Action Plan (RAP), spent years researching and developing a device to help accelerate the sedimentation rate of lead pellets, putting them out of the reach of swans and other waterfowl. The RAP has been remediating lead “hot spots” within Wye Marsh with the device, and plans to treat several similarly affected surrounding wetlands, helping to prevent future cases of lead poisoning in Trumpeters and other waterfowl.

Ah, those environmentally sensitive hunters, eh?


http://www.ec.gc.ca/minister/speeches/l_b_sp_e.htm

Speech delivered by the Honourable Sheila Copps, P.C., M.P.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment
Toronto July 24, 1995

I have strong messages to send today about three key issues: lead shot; benzene; and the attack on important environmental legislation in the United States Congress.

Across Canada, up to 6 million birds eat spent lead shot gun pellets each year. Ducks, geese and swans mistake lead pellets for food. Poisoning occurs after swallowing just a few pellets. The scientists in my department have concluded that at least a quarter of a million waterfowl are killed annually from eating lead.

In turn, bald eagles and other predators die from eating crippled or dead waterfowl. Our studies show that more than 10% of dead eagles have been lead poisoned.

Under the authority of the Migratory Birds Convention Act, I am announcing a national ban on lead shot for migratory game bird hunting to come into effect in 1997. ... We have moved to unleaded fuel. Surely, we must move to unleaded birds.

Of course, bald eagles aren't the only ones who eat those leaded birds. I would hope that the effects of lead poisoning on children are known to all. That would be why we no longer make pencils with lead, right?


From the Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, US Geological Survey:
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/othrdata/pbpoison/intro.htm

I gather that there is a ban in the US:
http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/issues/nontoxic_shot/nontoxic.htm
which refers to the NPWRS:
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/othrdata/pbpoison/pbpoison.htm#contents

Given that the problem has been common knowledge for over a century (see that NPWRC site), it does seem like too little too late.

And apart from the toxicity danger to humans, the waterfowl themselves do die rather horrible deaths in lead poisoning cases.


But firing ranges, you ask? Dear me, surely you're not suggesting that there is something inherently dangerous to human beings about some product manufactured by the firearms industry!

.