Lead - A Toxic Threat to Birds

The Problem

Despite a 1991 federal ban on lead shot for waterfowl hunting, lead poisoning continues to be a problem for birds through the hundreds of tons of lead deposited in the environment annually by upland game hunting, fishing, and clay pigeon shooting. Waterfowl, waders, upland game birds and passerines may eat lead shotgun pellets and split shot sinkers mistaking them for grain or grit. Additionally, raptors may become poisoned by ingesting lead embedded in prey carcasses. Once digested and absorbed into the blood, as little as a single pellet can be lethal, but sublethal lead levels can also compromise health and cause neurological dysfunction.

Research in the Northeast suggests that lead is the leading cause of death in adult loons, and secondary lead poisoning has been documented in an array of raptors, especially Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, California Condors, and accipiters (in 2000, five California Condors died of lead poisoning after feeding on deer carcasses containing lead bullets). Lead poisoning in Trumpeter Swans has also been widely documented in the West.

The Solution

On August 3, 2010, American Bird Conservancy, Center for Biological Diversity, Association of Avian Veterinarians, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, and the hunters’ group Project Gutpile filed a petition to the Environmental Protection Agency to ban the use of lead ammunition for hunting and in fishing lures and sinkers under the Toxic Substances Control Act, which regulates dangerous chemicals in the United States.

The petition references almost 500 scientific studies, most of which have been peer-reviewed, that starkly illustrate the widespread dangers from lead ammunition and fishing tackle. Lead is an extremely toxic substance that is dangerous to people and wildlife even at low levels. Exposure can cause a range of health effects, from acute poisoning and death to long-term problems such as reduced reproduction, inhibition of growth and damage to neurological development. In the United States, 3,000 tons of lead are shot into the environment by hunting every year, another 80,000 tons are released at shooting ranges, and 4,000 tons are lost in ponds and streams as fishing lures and sinkers. At least 75 wild bird species are poisoned by spent lead ammunition, including bald eagles, golden eagles, ravens and endangered California condors. Despite being banned in 1992 for hunting waterfowl, spent lead shotgun pellets continue to be frequently ingested by swans, cranes, ducks, geese, loons and other waterfowl.  These birds also consume lead-based fishing tackle lost in lakes and rivers, often with deadly consequences.

Lead ammunition also poses health risks to people. Lead bullets explode and fragment into minute particles in shot game and can spread throughout meat that humans eat. Studies using radiographs show that numerous, imperceptible, dust-sized particles of lead can infect meat up to a foot and a half away from the bullet wound, causing a greater health risk to humans who consume lead-shot game than previously thought. A recent study found that up to 87 percent of cooked game killed by lead ammunition can contain unsafe levels of lead. State health agencies have had to recall venison donated to feed the hungry because of lead contamination from lead bullet fragments. Nearly 10 million hunters, their families and low-income beneficiaries of venison donations may be at risk.

Further Resources

Petition to Ban Lead

Photos and Video Page

Fact Sheet on Lead in the Environment from Ammunition and Fishing Gear

Questions and Answers about Lead, Birds, and the Petition

Timeline of lead hazard reduction for wildlife and people