This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/29/use-safe-alternative-to-toxic-lead-gunshot
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Use safe alternative to toxic lead gunshot | Use safe alternative to toxic lead gunshot |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| One hundred years ago this week the American ornithologist Alexander Wetmore published a paper reporting numerous incidents of wild waterfowl dying after swallowing lead gunshot, mistaking it for grit which they eat to aid digestion. He concluded that lead poisoning due to eating gunshot was a common occurrence and a “dangerous and usually fatal malady”. | One hundred years ago this week the American ornithologist Alexander Wetmore published a paper reporting numerous incidents of wild waterfowl dying after swallowing lead gunshot, mistaking it for grit which they eat to aid digestion. He concluded that lead poisoning due to eating gunshot was a common occurrence and a “dangerous and usually fatal malady”. |
| On the same day in 1786, Benjamin Franklin wrote on lead poisoning in humans that “the Opinion of this mischievous Effect from Lead, is at least above Sixty Years old; and you will observe with Concern how long a useful Truth may be known, and exist, before it is generally receiv’d and practis’d on”. | On the same day in 1786, Benjamin Franklin wrote on lead poisoning in humans that “the Opinion of this mischievous Effect from Lead, is at least above Sixty Years old; and you will observe with Concern how long a useful Truth may be known, and exist, before it is generally receiv’d and practis’d on”. |
| Yet annually, ingestion of spent gunshot still kills an estimated 50,000 to 100,000 waterfowl in the UK. Predatory and scavenging birds are also affected by eating lead ammunition fragments in the flesh of their prey. | Yet annually, ingestion of spent gunshot still kills an estimated 50,000 to 100,000 waterfowl in the UK. Predatory and scavenging birds are also affected by eating lead ammunition fragments in the flesh of their prey. |
| Lead is a potent neurotoxin and presents health risks to people who eat game shot with lead ammunition frequently – especially children and pregnant women. The Food Standards Agency has highlighted the risks. | Lead is a potent neurotoxin and presents health risks to people who eat game shot with lead ammunition frequently – especially children and pregnant women. The Food Standards Agency has highlighted the risks. |
| Alternative non-toxic gunshot is available, effective and comparably priced. Indeed, legislation has required its use in Denmark since 1996. How much longer will it take for UK policymakers to catch up?Professor Alan R Boobis Des Browne Labour, House of Lords Dr Ruth Cromie Professor Rhys E Green Professor John Krebs Crossbencher, House of Lords Professor Ian Newton Dr Deborah Pain Professor Christopher Perrins David Stroud John Swift | Alternative non-toxic gunshot is available, effective and comparably priced. Indeed, legislation has required its use in Denmark since 1996. How much longer will it take for UK policymakers to catch up?Professor Alan R Boobis Des Browne Labour, House of Lords Dr Ruth Cromie Professor Rhys E Green Professor John Krebs Crossbencher, House of Lords Professor Ian Newton Dr Deborah Pain Professor Christopher Perrins David Stroud John Swift |
| • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com | • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com |
| • Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters | • Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters |
| • Do you have a photo you’d like to share with Guardian readers? Click here to upload it and we’ll publish the best submissions in the letters spread of our print edition | • Do you have a photo you’d like to share with Guardian readers? Click here to upload it and we’ll publish the best submissions in the letters spread of our print edition |
| Environment | Environment |
| Birds | Birds |
| Wildlife | Wildlife |
| Animals | Animals |
| Health | Health |
| Rural affairs | |
| letters | letters |
| Share on Facebook | Share on Facebook |
| Share on Twitter | Share on Twitter |
| Share via Email | Share via Email |
| Share on LinkedIn | Share on LinkedIn |
| Share on Pinterest | Share on Pinterest |
| Share on WhatsApp | Share on WhatsApp |
| Share on Messenger | Share on Messenger |
| Reuse this content | Reuse this content |
Previous version
1
Next version