May 15, 2005
The use of lead shot has been limited and discouraged in the US due to its known ill effects on reproduction in waterfowl and the predator birds that feed on them. The lead can cause a 10–15 percent reduction in fledgling survival for eagles. Scientists are only beginning to understand how this lead may contribute to harmful effects for humans.
Lead is well known to be a serious toxin for humans and has contributed to nervous system, kidney, and reproductive system problems in people. In the past, this has mainly been due to children eating paint chips containing lead from walls in homes in the lower 48.
Because of the serious hazard of lead for humans, lead has been removed from paints, and even from gasoline to diminish exposure. In the past, testing of people in the YK Delta has shown very little lead exposure, unlike populations in the Lower 48.
Recent studies in children in other parts of the world are beginning to suggest that amounts of lead much lower than previously thought can contribute to impaired intelligence. This is especially true for very young children. Lead also appears to be contributing to infertility in men in the U.S. Once lead gets into a person's body it is very slow to come out.
Studies in Greenland, where lead shot is still not regulated, have shown that the tissues of up to 15 percent of the examined waterfowl carry significant levels of lead. The birds that appear to be most affected are those that have been shot, but have survived to go on to be killed another day. Researchers are finding that lead shot leaves micro-fragments in the tissues of birds even if the shot passes all the way through. This lead will then be consumed by the hunter and his/her family.
If the bird survives, these fragments then stay in the bird and are absorbed by the bird, to be eaten by the next hunter who successfully nabs the bird. These fragments are too small to be detected by the person eating the bird. (Detectable fragments contain even more lead and you should avoid eating lead pellets or fragments).
There is also concern that lead shot used in Alaska may remain on the frozen bottom of lakes and ponds for the waterfowl to consume when they are feeding off the bottom.
For all these reasons, YKHC encourages all hunters to never use lead shot. Though lead does not appear to be causing problems for our children at this time, we believe that it is unwise to continue adding further lead to our environment which may in the future cause harm to our children or our children's children. Steel shot is safe and can be eaten without causing poisoning. Though steel shot is more expensive, it is a small price to pay to prevent future risks of mental or reproductive impairment in our offspring.
Traditional foods, including ducks and geese, are still the healthiest foods that a person can eat in our region. Traditional foods are much healthier than eating fatty and sugary foods or processed meats from the store. It is a wonderful privilege to be able to obtain healthy subsistence foods from our land. Please help keep our food healthy by not using lead shot.