CLARE, MI -- There's a renewed push to ban lead in ammunition and fishing tackle.
A Coalition of conservation groups is pushing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban lead for use in ammunition and fishing tackle.
Currently the majority of ammunition is lead based. A smaller portion of tackle is lead based.
A coalition of conservationists is trying to put a ban on all lead ammunition and fishing tackle, but several federal lawmakers say this could ruin a $28-billion industry.
The US Senate wants to extend a measure that allows the use of lead in hunting and fishing products but a group of environmentalists are suing the Environmental Protection Agency hoping to force a ban on lead for sporting use.
This could jack up the price for ammunition and have an impact on a sport that is big business in Michigan.
When you look at a lead bullet and a non-leaded bullet, there’s no difference. But the lead inside of the leaded bullet is causing controversy.
"It’s always been lead," said hunter Kurt Mizer.
"Primarily lead, copper jacketed, you try to see what shoots best out of your gun," explained hunter Frank York.
Jay’s Sporting Goods ammo selection is huge. There are several hundred boxes, but only three boxes that are lead-free because the demand just isn’t there.
"Lead is the norm, most people are going to buy lead to hunt with it, and it works better to kill an animal more efficiently," said Jay’s Sporting Goods Kevin Charron.
Lawmakers want to keep the lead in bullets and fishing tackle, saying if lead is banned, it could mean higher taxes and a pretty penny per bullet. Environmentalists say get rid of it because it affects the health of wildlife and humans.
"Scientists need to figure that out by coming out and taking samples," said Charron.
We did a little digging to see if there was any data and health warnings about the effects of lost lead weighters used for fishing at the bottom of a lake or a spent lead bullet buried in the ground. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality said there are no documented studies. The DEQ website does warn of the dangers, like the health effects and possible death. Pam Henschel works at Jay's and studied science and biology. While she admits she is no expert, she is concerned.
"All of that starts to build up in the ecosystem and it goes through the entire food chain, all the way to humans, and that's a problem," said Henschel.
But says there isn't a product in market that compares.
“If they came out with another product that people could use that would help you get your game at the same cost, we'd be all for it," said York.
Hunters I spoke with said they are concerned with lead being outlawed because it could hike up the ammunition price. But most agreed if they find a reasonable alternative, they'll jump on board.
On August 3, 2010, the American Bird Conservancy, the Association of Avian Veterinarians, and a number of other groups petitioned EPA to "prohibit the manufacture, processing, and distribution in commerce of lead for shot, bullets, and fishing sinkers."
On August 27, 2010, the EPA denied the portion of the petition relating to lead in ammunition because the Agency does not have the legal authority to regulate this type of product under TSCA.
In November, 2010, the EPA denied a petition calling for a ban on the manufacture, use and processing of lead in fishing gear.
In a letter to the petitioners , Steve Owens, EPA's Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, indicated that the petitioners have not demonstrated that the requested rule is necessary to protect against an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment, as required by the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
To see more on the EPA's decision to deny the ban CLICK HERE.
To learn about Lead Poisoning, CLICK HERE
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