Let's get them concerned about automotive batteries instead.
Approx 250,000,000 automobiles wander the land of the free. Each one needs a LEAD battery. Let's say 10% need a new battery every year.
Okay, that would be 25,000,000 batteries. Each battery conservatively weighs a whole helluva lot, especially trying to carry one to your dead car at minus 40 degrees.
Here's a bit of info on the amount of lead from automotive batteries, including an estimate of what hits the trash and is not recycled
CLICK
So, just a minute here. 3,000 Tons of huntin' lead but 44,000 Tons of battery lead into the environment (ie not recycled). I'm almost willing to bet those folks making their pitch to the EPA drove or were driven in an automobile to make the presentation. But..... but.......... ah forget it.
Ever wonder how many folks ACTUALLY die from lead poisoning?
Abstract
This study was conducted to describe trends in US lead poisoning-related deaths between 1979 and 1998. The predictive value of relevant ICD-9 codes was also evaluated. Multiple cause-of-death files were searched for records containing relevant ICD-9 codes, and underlying causes and demographic characteristics were assessed. For 1979-1988, death certificates were reviewed; lead source information was abstracted and accuracy of coding was determined. An estimated 200 lead poisoning-related deaths occurred from 1979 to 1998. Most were among males (74%), Blacks (67%), adults of age >/=45 years (76%), and Southerners (70%). The death rate was significantly lower in more recent years. An alcohol-related code was a contributing cause for 28% of adults. Only three of nine ICD-9 codes for lead poisoning were highly predictive of lead poisoning-related deaths. In conclusion, lead poisoning-related death rates have dropped dramatically since earlier decades and are continuing to decline. However, the findings imply that moonshine ingestion remains a source of high-dose lead exposure in adults.SOURCE
Whoa...... just a minute Moonshine and southerners?????? Say it isn't so.
Anyway, if it really is 200/year that is the equivalent of about 7 days worth of drunk drivers predation.
Every day, almost 30 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. This amounts to one death every 48 minutes.SOURCE
There's so much to be worried about. I'll quit using lead sinkers for the sake of the fish that always get away with them. I'll quit driving a motor vehicle. That will make it easy to quit using lead shot for pheasants but I still might try to walk to my favorite haunts and try the old salt on the rooster's tail trick to get me a few. And those, I'll eat raw so as not to add smoke to the environment.
Or.............I just realized the inate wisdom of
"What, me worry"
Okay, I quit. CHARLIE and KYRA are after me for a hike in the country. I know I will drive. Dang, as much as I try to be a good citizen of this planet, I continue to fail.