I Will Defend the Constitution

Groups urges EPA to ban lead in ammunition, fishing tackle, claiming harm to wildlife
By: FREDERIC J. FROMMER
Associated Press
08/03/10 5:15 PM EDT

WASHINGTON — Five environmental groups urged the Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday to ban lead in ammunition and fishing tackle, arguing that millions of animals are dying from eating lead-shot pellets or carcasses contaminated by lead.

"It's long past time do something about this deadly — and preventable — epidemic of lead poisoning in the wild," said Jeff Miller, conservation advocate for the Center for Biological Diversity. The center was one of the five groups that submitted the 100-page petition to the EPA, which includes hundreds of scientific studies the groups say demonstrate the harm lead does to wildlife. The groups say an estimated 10 million to 20 million birds and other animals die each year from lead poisoning in the U.S.

The center, along with the American Bird Conservancy, the Association of Avian Veterinarians, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility and a hunters group called Project Gutpile, are seeking a ban under the Toxic Substances Control Act.

Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/economy/groups-urges-epa-to-ban-lead-a...