Environmental Coalition Submits Lead Ban Petition

Despite the efforts of environmentally minded groups over the years to eliminate lead in hunting ammo and fishing tackle, the toxic alloy still kills an estimated 10 million-20 million birds and animals each year, including bald eagles, swans, and critically endangered California condors that feast on the carcasses and gut piles of animals killed by hunters. This week, a coalition of wildlife experts and veterinarians filed a formal petition with the Environmental Protection Agency requesting a complete ban on lead during hunting and fishing activities. The petition cites almost 500 peer-reviewed studies denouncing the 87,000 tons of lead scattered in lakes and forests yearly, also remarking on the underreported but very real health risks posed to people.