Lead in ammunition and hunting
The use of lead shot and other ammunition where lead is used leads to significant releases of lead to terrestric and aquatic environments. Whereas releases to the terrestric environments result mainly in local impacts releases of lead shot in wetlands has a transboundary perspective.
The releases of lead shot and small fishing sinkers to wetlands are of particular concern due to the high risk of poisoning of birds ingesting the lead shot. Besides the local impact, the lead pollution of wetlands has a transboundary perspective, as wetlands are important habitats for migrating birds.
Humans also suffer from lead intoxication through the food chain – particularly vulnerable are kids and infants whose development and IQ can be slowed down and lowered. These effects have been documented particularly in communities where game meat is consumed more frequently.
- Lead in Ammunition from Final review of scientific information on lead 2010 + UN Comtrade Statistics
Documents from: The Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) & Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)
- Phasing out the use of lead shot for hunting in wetlands (AEWA)
- Review and guidelines to prevent the risk of poisoning of migratory birds (CMS)
- Conservation and sustainable use of migratory waterbirds (AEWA)
- Avoiding additional and unnecessary mortality for migratory waterbirds (AEWA)
- Preventing poisoning of migratory birds (CMS)
