Chemical compositional standards for non-lead huntingammunition and fishing weights

摘要

The chemical composition of non-lead, nontoxic,gunshot used for hunting waterfowl is regulated onlyin Canada and the USA. No nation regulates thecomposition of non-lead fishing weights, rifle bullets, andgunshot used for upland game hunting. Compositionalcriteria for these non-lead products are proposed here,based on established experimental toxicity protocols.Because of the demonstrated acute toxicity of ingestedzinc shot to birds, fishing weights and gunshot should neverbe made of this pure metal. Nickel should be avoided as anincidental component of gunshot because of potentialcarcinogenicity concerns about such embedded shot inbirds and other animals. These compositional criteria couldbe adopted by all nations undertaking the transition to nonleadfishing weights and hunting ammunition. The listedcriteria would facilitate production and international tradein non-lead products, and promote easier enforcement anduser compliance with non-lead standards.