Use Of Lead Shot Research Articles

Identifying the key sources of metal (loid) deposition to remote Tasmanian lakes: is legacy mining a problem?

Reports have shown that even remote lakes have been negatively affected by anthropogenic activities. This study used metal concentrations and enrichment factors to comprehensively determine key metal sources and identify potential impacts of recent anthropogenic activity in remote Central Highland Tasmanian (Australia) lakes. Metal concentrations (Al, As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn) in these lakes remain below Australian interim sediment quality guidelines but have been slowly increasing since the start of the twentieth century. This increase is likely related to increasing organic matter content, rather than any direct, increased input of metals. The largest anthropogenic impact to these systems was damming, which typically led to an increase in organic matter content either directly, by the trapping of particles and nutrients, or indirectly, by stimulating primary production in the lake. This increased organic matter content, in turn, increased the retention of metals, manifesting as an increase to measured metal concentrations. Minor impacts are the historical use of lead shot, leaded petrol, and industrial processes, which may have contributed to the higher Pb enrichment, compared to the other studied metals, in these lakes. Despite recent concerns of metal contamination in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area from distant mining activities, there is no strong evidence in this study indicating that lakes in the Central Highlands (a similar distance away) have been impacted by long-distance atmospheric deposition. This is likely related to the decreased rainfall, and thus decreased rates of wet deposition of aerosols in the east of Tasmania, compared to that of the west and in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

Support for nonlead shot for dove hunting in Illinois

AbstractMourning doves are the most hunted game species in the United States. Mourning dove populations are declining, and the continued use of lead shot has been cited as one contributory factor. We examined the relationship between support for a ban on lead shot when dove hunting and 3 sets of variables: (1) beliefs about lead and steel shot, (2) prior dove hunting experiences, and (3) hunter demographics. Data were obtained from a mailed survey of 4,330 dove hunters in Illinois (response rate = 59%). Our results indicated that 81% of respondents were opposed to restrictions on the use of lead shot and these individuals believed that lead ammunition did not pose a risk to wildlife and that steel shot was less effective than lead shot. Supporters of banning lead shot were almost twice as likely to use steel shot, reported 2 fewer years hunting doves, went dove hunting 75% as much, and harvested 2/3 as many doves as those who opposed a ban. Consistent with social‐psychological theory, beliefs were the best predictors of whether an individual supported or opposed a ban, followed by dove hunting experiences and demographic variables.

Incidence of lead ingestion in managed goose populations and the efficacy of imposed restrictions on the use of lead shot

Lead is a toxic heavy metal that when ingested can cause death or sub‐lethal fitness effects. Despite its toxicity, it is still widely used in recreational and management shooting globally. To reduce the impacts of lead on wildfowl, recent European Union legislation has banned the use of lead shot in and around wetlands from 2023. Understanding the effectiveness of such mitigation is vital to inform future policy. On Islay, Scotland, the licensed shooting of Barnacle Geese Branta leucopsis to reduce agricultural damage has adhered to the ban on use of lead shot over Ramsar‐designated wetlands legislated in Scotland in 2004. On average 2380 lead cartridges were fired annually between 2005 and 2020 outside designated wetlands, where Barnacle Geese and other wildfowl forage. From faecal samples, it is possible to infer whether birds have ingested lead and are therefore potentially suffering from lead poisoning. After sampling faeces from Barnacle Geese (n = 193) and Greenland White‐fronted Geese Anser albifrons flavirostris (n = 150) we found only four (1.2%) faecal samples with elevated lead levels that may be indicative of lead shot ingestion. Further post‐mortem examinations (n = 102 Barnacle Geese only) and X‐ray of live birds (n = 293) revealed similarly low levels of shot ingestion in both species (post‐mortem < 4%, and X‐ray < 2%), corroborating findings from faecal sample analysis. When subsequently accounting for limited shot retention time within individuals, the proportion of each population ingesting a single lead shot over a winter was estimated at a maximum of 9.4% (Barnacle Geese) and 16.8% (White‐fronted Geese). We propose that high compliance with the ban on using lead shot over wetlands because of carefully controlled shooting management on Islay has led to relatively low instantaneous ingestion rates, probably resulting in minimal lead poisoning mortality. However, ingestion was not eliminated and the potential fitness effect of chronic lead poisoning in both goose populations therefore persists, although use of lead shot in organized shooting has subsequently been discontinued. Recent European Union bans on lead shot use over wetlands may reduce lead ingestion in waterfowl if compliance rates are high, but as foraging often occurs outside wetlands (as in this study), further restrictions including use on other key foraging sites may help to further mitigate the risk of lead poisoning in waterfowl.

The importance of in-year seasonal fluctuations for biomonitoring of apex predators: A case study of 14 essential and non-essential elements in the liver of the common buzzard (Buteobuteo) in the United Kingdom

Trace elements are chemical contaminants spread in the environment by anthropogenic activities and threaten wildlife and human health. Many studies have investigated this contamination in apex raptors as sentinel birds. However, there is limited data for long-term biomonitoring of multiple trace elements in raptors. In the present study, we measured the concentrations of 14 essential and non-essential trace elements in the livers of the common buzzard (Buteo buteo) collected in the United Kingdom from 2001 to 2019 and investigated whether concentrations have changed during this period. In addition, we estimated the importance of selected variables for modelling element accumulations in tissues.Except for cadmium, hepatic concentrations of harmful elements in most buzzards were lower than the biological significance level of each element. Hepatic concentrations of certain elements, including lead, cadmium, and arsenic, varied markedly seasonally within years. Their peak was in late winter and trough in late summer, except copper which showed an opposite seasonal pattern. In addition, lead in the liver consistently increased over time, whereas strontium showed a decreasing trend. Hepatic concentrations of cadmium, mercury, and chromium increased with age, whereas selenium and chromium were influenced by sex. Hepatic concentrations of arsenic and chromium also differed between different regions.Overall, our samples showed a low risk of harmful effects of most elements compared to the thresholds reported in the literature. Seasonal fluctuation was an important descriptor of exposure, which might be related to the diet of the buzzard, the ecology of their prey, and human activities such as the use of lead shot for hunting. However, elucidating reasons for these observed trends needs further examination, and biomonitoring studies exploring the effects of variables such as age, sex, and seasonality are required.

Expanding the use of portable XRF to monitor lead exposure in an Australian duck species two decades after a ban on lead shot

There is growing worldwide recognition of the threat posed by toxic lead for wildlife and humans. Lead toxicity from ammunition has been shown to be a threat to waterbirds across the globe. Lead shot was banned for all waterfowl hunting in Victoria, Australia, in 2002. However, no assessments of lead exposure in Australian waterfowl have been published since the 1990s. Our aim was to estimate contemporary lead exposure via measuring bone lead concentrations in a harvested dabbling duck, the Pacific black duck (Anas superciliosa). We collected wings from 77 Pacific black ducks, spanning 2018 (n = 30) and 2021 (n = 47), from nine sites with long-term histories of regular waterfowl hunting. We sought to validate portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for this purpose by taking a piece of humerus bone from each bird, and measuring lead concentration (mg/kg), first via non-destructive XRF and then via destructive inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and validated the relationship via regression analysis. Portable XRF bone lead measurement demonstrated a strong correlation with ICP-MS results using root-transformed regression (R2 = 0.85). Greater than 92 % of ducks had only background lead exposure (<10 mg/kg). When compared to historical studies in the same species at similar field sites from the 1990s, lead exposure levels were considerably lower, with mean lead concentrations ∼2-fold lower (3.7 c.f. 7.7 mg/kg), and the frequency of birds with severe lead exposure (>20 mg/kg) ∼3-fold lower (2.6 c.f. 7.5 %). Our results confirm that portable XRF is a useful option for measurement of bone lead in Australasian waterbird species. Our findings also demonstrate that a ban on the use of lead shot around 20 years ago has been associated with a substantial reduction in lead exposure in at least one species of waterfowl.

Effectiveness of regulations intended to reduce the use of lead shotgun ammunition in and over coastal intertidal and riparian habitats in Scotland

The use of lead shot for hunting in wetlands is banned in many countries because ingestion of spent shot causes lead poisoning of wildfowl. In Scotland (UK), the Environmental Protection (Restriction on Use of Lead Shot) (Scotland) (No. 2) Regulations 2004 were introduced to reduce the exposure of wildfowl to lead shot by making its use in wetlands unlawful. We assessed the degree to which the regulations are being complied with by wildfowlers by conducting analyses of the shot metal type contained within shotgun cartridges discarded in coastal intertidal and riparian habitats across Scotland. Despite efforts to encourage compliance with the regulations, which had been in force for 17-18 years at the time of the surveys, about half of the cartridges used appeared to have contained lead gunshot, indicating unlawful use. Hence, efforts to restrict the use of lead ammunition in coastal and riparian wetlands by regulation, with the intention of reducing the risk of lead poisoning of waterfowl, have had limited effectiveness so far.

Blood Lead Declines in Wintering American Black Ducks in New Jersey Following the Lead Shot Ban

AbstractWaterfowl managers first recognized the problem of lead poisoning in ducks from the ingestion of spent lead shot (pellets) over 100 years ago. The phaseout of lead shot for waterfowl hunting began in the Atlantic Flyway in the 1970s. Lead shot was subsequently banned throughout the United States and Canada prior to 2000. We compared blood lead levels in American black ducks Anas rubripes wintering in coastal New Jersey in 1978, prior to the lead ban, and in 2017, about 39 years after lead shot was first banned for use in Atlantic coastal marshes and 27 years after it was banned for waterfowl hunting in New Jersey. The prevalence of blood lead &amp;gt;0.2 ppm, a level commonly used to indicate lead exposure, declined nearly fourfold from 1978 (79%) to 2017 (20%). We found no significant differences in the prevalence of birds with blood lead levels &amp;gt;0.2 ppm between sexes in either year or between age classes in 2017. The prevalence of ducks with blood lead levels &amp;gt;1.0 ppm, considered clinically evident toxicity, declined from 19% in 1978 to 1% in 2017. Our study provides further evidence that the ban on the use of lead shot over 20 years ago throughout North America has resulted in lower blood lead levels in waterfowl. Notwithstanding, we still found evidence of lead exposure in black ducks in 2017, which warrants further investigation.

Shooting habits and habitats- effects of education and legislation on the phasing out of lead shot

Achieving sustainability often requires fostering changes in norms and behaviours through a combination of restrictions and aware-raising activities. The phasing out of lead in ammunition to reduce lead poisoning in waterfowl provides a case in point. Twenty years after the Parties to the African Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) committed to phase out lead shot in wetlands, such bans have been implemented in a third of Europe only. Furthermore, while evidence is scant, compliance varies widely where bans have been introduced. As a result, waterfowl are still suffering from lead poisoning.Here, I survey the use of different types of shot while practicing and when taking game in different habitats in Sweden, one of the Parties to AEWA. Furthermore, I test the hypotheses that mandatory shooter education, or stakeholder communication, influence compliance with existing restrictions in Sweden, as well as the voluntary phasing out of lead shot where its use still is permitted.More than half of the shooters practiced using lead and a third used lead shot over what they considered as wetlands, in both cases in violation of the current legislation. Furthermore, what constitutes a wetland appears to have been unclear to many shooters, especially in alpine areas. Both mandatory education and stakeholder communication were positively related to compliance.Only 12–15 % used lead free alternatives in shooting over habitats where the use of lead shot is permitted. There was a weak positive relationship between stakeholder communication and the voluntary phasing out of lead shot, but no effect from education.I suggest that the planned and ongoing phasing out of lead in ammunition should rest on a combination of legislation, enforcement, education and stakeholder communication in order to be successful. The findings add to our general understanding of how to turn environmental policy into sustainable management actions in practice.

Evidence of widespread illegal hunting of waterfowl in England despite partial regulation of the use of lead shotgun ammunition

Shooting of birds using lead shotgun ammunition was legal for all quarry species in the UK until 1st September 1999, when the Environmental Protection (Restriction on Use of Lead Shot) (England) Regulations 1999 and similar regulations in other UK countries came into effect. These regulations made it illegal to shoot ducks and geese and some other waterfowl species in England with lead shotgun ammunition and/or to use it in certain wetland habitats. The legislation was intended to reduce the incidence of lead poisoning of wetland birds caused by ingested and embedded shotgun pellets. We evaluate the effectiveness of this legislation by estimating the number of ducks shot in England with lead shot. We also assess the effectiveness of awareness-raising actions about the regulations, including an advocacy campaign intended to encourage compliance, and an undertaking by the UK Government to examine ways to improve compliance and enforcement. We estimate that about 13 million ducks have been shot illegally using lead shotgun ammunition in England since 1st September 1999 - an annual average of approximately 586,000 and representing approximately 70% of the total ducks shot. There was no detectable decline in the number of ducks killed using lead shotgun ammunition following the awareness-raising publicity and advocacy campaign by shooting and countryside management organisations. The government review of implementation and enforcement of the Regulations on the level of this wildlife crime was not followed by any new prosecutions. There has been one prosecution for an offence under the Lead Shot Regulations. We conclude that the 1999 Regulations and attempts to promote compliance with them have effected only a small reduction in the use of lead shotgun ammunition in wetlands in England.

Toxic lead gunshot persists accessible to waterbirds after a 33-year ban on their use

Use of lead shot for hunting was banned under legislation on 26 Ramsar sites in Denmark from 1986, based on evidence of poisoning in waterbirds ingesting lead shot and high lead shot pellet densities in Danish wetland sediments caused by intensive hunting. To assess the fate of lead shot from hunting prior to 1986 and the degree to which such shot remains available to waterbirds, this study replicated the survey of shot pellet densities in substrates in Ringkøbing Fjord undertaken in the late 1970s. 287 shotgun pellets (282 lead, five steel) were recovered from 123 sediment samples at four locations, equivalent to a mean of 127 pellets m−2 in the top 20 cm of the sediment at the four locations, in certain hot spots equating to >250 kg lead ha−1, broadly similar to densities found in the 1970s. Possible explanations were given for the persistence of such high lead shot densities despite >30 years of regulation, during which time steel shot has been widely used as the alternative to lead. Field experiments showed that steel shot corroded in the marine environment, which likely contributes to lower steel shot densities found in this study. It is concluded that lead gunshot pellet dispersal and accumulation in natural ecosystems remains as a persistent and irreversible hazard to wildlife and ecosystems. Based on these Danish experiences, it is urgently recommended that international and national bodies in countries where hunting with lead shot continues recognise these results and act to prevent the accumulation of this toxic metal.

Anthropogenic lead in Amazonian wildlife

Lead levels and isotopic fingerprints in 315 free-ranging animals belonging to 18 wild game species in four remote areas of the Peruvian Amazon provide a comprehensive picture of anthropogenic lead pollution in tropical rainforests. The high average concentration of lead (0.49 mg kg−1 wet weight) in livers from Amazonian wild game is comparable to the levels of lead in industrialized countries and mining areas. Although hunting ammunition is probably the main source of lead in wildlife, oil-related pollution is also a major source of contaminant lead in areas in which oil is extracted. Owing to the extended use of lead shot in subsistence hunting worldwide and the ever-encroaching oil-extraction industry in tropical rainforests, these results uncover important health risks to tropical wildlife and local communities that rely on subsistence hunting. The Amazon exemplifies conflicts between extractive resource use and conservation goals. This study finds lead in livers of Amazonian game comparable to levels in industrialized nations and that lead ammunition and oil-related pollution are key sources.

Danish pheasant and mallard hunters comply with the lead shot ban.

Denmark implemented a total ban on the use of lead shot for hunting and clay target shooting in 1996. Compliance was not studied systematically until recently. However, sporadic police checks and individual studies indicated that compliance was far from complete in the early years after regulation. To assess current levels of compliance with Danish regulations, we purchased 730 carcasses of pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) and mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and a further 690 mallard gizzards were obtained from > 14 shooting events distributed across > 10 local authority districts throughout East and West Denmark in the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 hunting seasons. All carcasses and gizzards were subject to radiography and those that contained shot were examined, pellets removed by dissection and identified to shot type. In all, 3589 pellets (intact or fragmented) were found in 1420 carcasses/gizzards, of which 799 pellets (some fragmented) were identified. Among the sample of pheasants with embedded shot (N = 447), 1.8% (in 2016) and 2.2% (in 2017) were lead shot. Among 148 mallards in 2017 with embedded shot, 3.1% had lead shot. None of the 2017 mallard gizzards had embedded lead shot. We conclude that Danish pheasant and mallard shooters mostly comply with the lead shot regulations. Steel was the most used non-lead alternative. The majority of ingested shot was non-lead, indicating that lead shot is not generally available to pheasant and mallard and suggesting compliance with regulations in recent years/decades. The study showed that the possibility to predict the metal composition of shot pellets from X-ray images alone was highly inaccurate, confirming the necessity of necropsy to determine shot type.

Switch to non-toxic shot in the Camargue, France: effect on waterbird contamination and hunter effectiveness

The use of lead shot for wildfowling is a severe threat to waterbirds through ingestion of toxic lead pellets. Consequently, lead shot has been banned in many countries since the late 1990s and on Tour du Valat estate since 1994 (Camargue, France). An experimental study was undertaken to check if hunters would habituate to this new type of cartridge and consequently improve their effectiveness (average number of shots per bagged animal), assess the factors influencing effectiveness, and assess the trend of contamination in shot waterbirds and the estate sediment. From 1995 to 2005, we monitored hunting bags, spent cartridges, and the gizzards of shot ducks. Using generalized mixed effect models, we assessed the factors influencing hunter effectiveness. Instances of non-toxic pellets in duck gizzards increased, probably as a result of rapid accumulation in the sediments. We estimated that between 1995 and 2005, the lead shot ban spared 456 kg of lead from entering 403 ha of temporary marshes and avoided the contamination of 8 % of the ducks foraging on Tour du Valat. After 11 years of hunting with non-toxic shot, there was unexpectedly no clear pattern in trends of individual effectiveness among hunters. Hunter effectiveness was instead positively influenced by game abundance and hunter assiduity and negatively influenced by wind and number of shots, suggesting a lassitude effect. Our results suggest crippling loss can be reduced through regular practice, self-limitation of shooting intensity to below 20 shots to avoid lassitude effects, and self-limitation of shooting distance under strong wind conditions.

Causes of mortality in eagles submitted to the National Wildlife Health Center 1975-2013

We summarized the cause of death for 2,980 bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and 1,427 golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) submitted to the National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wisconsin, USA, for diagnosis between 1975 and the beginning of 2013. We compared the proportion of eagles with a primary diagnosis as electrocuted, emaciated, traumatized, shot or trapped, diseased, poisoned, other, and undetermined among the 4 migratory bird flyways of the United States (Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific). Additionally, we compared the proportion of lead-poisoned bald eagles submitted before and after the autumn 1991 ban on lead shot for waterfowl hunting. Trauma and poisonings (including lead poisoning) were the leading causes of death for bald eagles throughout the study period, and a greater proportion of bald eagles versus golden eagles were diagnosed as poisoned. For golden eagles, the major causes of mortality were trauma and electrocution. The proportion of lead poisoning diagnoses for bald eagles submitted to the National Wildlife Health Center displayed a statistically significant increase in all flyways after the autumn 1991 ban on the use of lead shot for waterfowl hunting. Thus, lead poisoning was a significant cause of mortality in our necropsied eagles, suggesting a continued need to evaluate the trade-offs of lead ammunition for use on game other than waterfowl versus the impacts of lead on wildlife populations. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

The Need to Intensify Research Efforts in the Alternative to Lead Shot

The problem of lead poisoning resulting from the use of lead shot in hunting waterbirds and shooting sports has led to the partial ban, voluntary restriction and complete ban of lead shot in some countries. The ban resulted in the alternatives like copper shot, tungsten-tin shot, bismuth-tin, steel shot, etc. These alternatives are still expensive and other possible alternatives have not been explored up to date. There is therefore need to ban lead shot world-wide and step up research into the alternatives (green shot).

Using persuasive messages to encourage hunters to support regulation of lead shot

AbstractLead shot from hunting adds the toxic metal to environments worldwide. The United States banned lead shot for hunting waterfowl in 1991 and 26 states have lead shot restrictions beyond those mandated for waterfowl hunting. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) was interested in studying hunter attitudes about expanded restrictions on the use of lead shot for hunting small game to understand what communication strategies might increase public support for potential restrictions on lead shot. We mailed messages about lead shot, including 1,200 control messages and 400 of each of 9 treatment messages, and surveys to 4,800 resident small game hunters. We compared attitudes and intentions related to a possible ban among control and treatment groups. Compared to the control message, all treatment messages elicited more positive attitudes and intentions to support a ban. A basic factual message, messages with references to Ducks Unlimited, and a first‐person narrative message generated the strongest support for a ban. Results also demonstrated a substantial relationship between the use of lead shot and response to persuasive messages supporting a ban. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.

Lead exposure in Nunavik: from research to action

Background. In 1999, the Government of Canada regulated the use of lead shot for hunting. Concurrently, the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services (NRBHSS) was informed of the results of an isotope study that pointed to lead ammunition as a likely source of lead exposure in Nunavik. Rapidly thereafter, a coalition for the banning of lead shot was implemented by the NRBHSS as well as by regional/local partners and by Inuit hunters in order to disseminate this information to the public.Objectives. The purpose of this article is to describe the intervention conducted in the winter of 1999 by the NRBHSS and to assess the combined impact of national legislation and an awareness campaign on blood lead levels in Nunavik.Study design. Impact assessment of the intervention for the banning of lead shot conducted in 1999 in Nunavik using blood lead levels data before and after the intervention.Methods. Data on blood lead levels in Nunavik describing foetal exposure as well as during childhood and in adults published between 1992 and 2009 were compiled. Blood lead levels in Nunavik prior to and after the interventions were compared. To assess the current situation, the most recent blood lead levels were compared with those from surveys conducted during the same period in North America.Results. Analysis of blood samples collected from umbilical cord and from adults show that blood lead levels in Nunavik significantly declined between 1992 and 2004. Nevertheless, lead exposure in Nunavik still remains higher in comparison to that observed in other North American surveys.Conclusions. The current situation regarding lead exposure in Nunavik has significantly improved as a result of the implemented intervention. However, according to recent data, a gap still subsists relative to other North American populations.

Compliance with regulations on use of lead shot over wetlands in the UK

Compliance with regulations on use of lead shot over wetlands in the UK

Limitations of European Union policy and law for regulating use of lead shot and sinkers: comparisons with North American regulation

AbstractExtensive shooting and angling causes, indirectly, fatal lead poisoning of birds. European Union policy on this major source of pollution is inconsistent with its laws regulating other forms of lead in the environment. Only three countries have banned the use of lead shot completely in the European Union, despite availability of substitutes and evidence that their use is a major contributor to bird conservation. The European Commission uses the criterion of amount of lead deposited and corroded, and the concentration of lead in water and soil, as the basis of their decisions. The USA and Canada used the prevalence of lead poisoning among birds as the basis of policy and law allowing them to reduce lead use at the continental level. The EU and North American policies and law on lead reduction are compared in this study, on the basis of which recommendations are developed indicating how the EU could revise its approach and resolve this environmental problem. Reluctance to act on lead reduction by the European Parliament and its member states reflects the current vested interests of the sporting communities. Companies in eight European countries already produce non‐toxic materials for hunting and shooting, and are not the limiting factor in this issue. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Lead Poisoning: Using Transdisciplinary Approaches to Solve an Ancient Problem

Conservation medicine examines the linkages among the health of people, animals, and the environment. Few issues illustrate this approach better than an examination of lead (Pb) toxicity. Lead is cheap and there is a long tradition of its use. But the toxic effects of Pb have also been recognized for many years. As a result, western societies have eliminated or greatly reduced many traditional uses of Pb, including many paints, gasoline, and solders because of threats to the health of humans and the environment. Legislation in several countries has eliminated the use of lead shot for hunting waterfowl. Despite these advances, a great many Pb products continue to be readily available. For example, wildlife agencies recognize that angling and shooting sports deposit thousands of tons of Pb into the environment each year. In recent years, our knowledge of the lethal and sublethal effects of Pb has grown dramatically. This discussion reviews the effects of lead on wildlife, humans, and domestic animals. It also discusses the importance of bringing together all interest groups to find safe alternatives, to develop new educational and policy initiatives, to eliminate many current uses of Pb, and to clean up existing problems.