The challenge at hand is environmental contamination from lead shot used in shooting trap, skeet, and sporting clays, and from spent lead bullets at shooting ranges. It s a problem that continues to threaten wildlife, habitat, and water quality. It s an issue that s drawing the attention of national sportsmen organizations, arms and ammunition manufactures, environmental professionals, and concerned citizens across the country. Lead in the environment from many kinds of sources poses a growing threat, and with good reason. Excessive lead in the human body can damage genes, cause cancer, impair reproductive and thyroid functions, and lower resistance to infectious diseases.
Wildlife are also at risk.
Lead poisoning of waterfowl from ingestion of spent shot was first identified more than a century ago and has been documented in at least 15 countries. Wildlife weakened by lead poisoning are easier prey, and predators eagles and other raptors, for example can ingest the lead from the stomachs and gizzards of their prey. That s hard to say, so far. But take a look at what might be the situation at a typical shooting range. If there are 25 people shooting, then you re looking at nearly 132 pounds of lead per outing.