Hunting Association investigates lead-free ammunition

Hunt Association study investigates lead-free ammunition

07/16/2012

As part of a research project, the hunting association in Bavaria wants to test whether lead-free ammunition can be used to kill wild animals. Health experts have been warning for some time about the toxic effects of lead ammunition in game meat. A scientific study in Wunsiedel should now provide clarity.

Wild boar, deer or roe deer: For some years now, game dishes have been offered in German restaurants. Although there are no reliable findings on the extent to which lead-containing ammunition contaminates game meat harmful to health, health experts have been warning for some time about the excessive consumption of game. Thus, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) pointed out that women should not eat game meat during pregnancy and small children because "lead concentrations are too high for weekly consumption". Some investigations had identified an increased risk, so the federal institute. To a high degree, children up to the age of seven and unborn children are at risk in the mother's stomach, since "even a small intake of lead can lead to lasting damage to health."

High lead concentrations damage organs and the nervous system
However, the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection does not see reliable data on game that was shot with or without lead. There would be no scientific studies proving how high the basic load of venison actually is. The problem is that when game is killed, the ammunition is expertly removed by the hunter and the bullet point on the animal. The lead-containing hunting shatters splinter on impact and the fragments spread deep into the body of the animal. Hunting clubs and associations had argued in the past, the bullet point would always "cut out generously". The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment does not accept this, and in the laboratory a relatively high level of lead contamination continues to be demonstrated. Rather, high concentrations of lead in the human body can damage the formation of blood, organs and the ancillary system, according to the warning of the Federal Institute.

The Bavarian Hunting Association (BJV) has now commissioned a study to test the use of lead-free and lead-containing ammunition. The aim is to determine which health effects leaded bullets may have. "The research project for the quality control of venison" takes place in the BJV teaching and research area in Wunsiedel, as stated in a published statement on Friday.

The purpose of the study is to determine the extent to which lead-free bullet residues are trapped in the meat. The data will then be compared to venison that has been killed with conventional ammunition. As a result, the scientists want to "gain sound insights into the extent to which there are health risks in both variants".

Less lead in food
The study is in the context of the toxicological reassessment of the BfR. The institute had made a "scientific reassessment of lead in food" based on some research. The goal should be to minimize pollutants such as lead in all foods. In the main, lead materials are supplied to the human body through grains, vegetables and fruits, which these foods are consumed daily in larger people. Deer, roe or wild boar game consumption could be another lead source when it is struck by conventional ammunition. "We will analyze the meat and compare the lead content," said Egbert Urbach from the hunting association.

In addition to meat samples from wild boar, deer and deer, soil samples should also be taken in six different regions of Germany in order to include the feed of the animals in the analysis.

Less health hazards due to alternative floors?
For some time so-called alternative projectiles have been used in hunting. These are lead-free and usually contain copper and zinc. But because the risks can not be estimated here, the lead-free hunting ammunition should also be examined for ecotoxicity. "Copper as an alternative project could also involve risks as copper can be highly toxic in the environment," said Hunting Association chairman Vocke. For copper, copper alloys and other lead substitutes there are no reliable scientific findings on the chemical reactions in soils. Vocke pointed out that this additional study work is unique in Germany.

However, the association would not be "surprised", even if unleaded cartridges show higher heavy metal concentrations in the meat. Finally, the wild animals take lead through the food, which is then stored in the body. The final results of the association wants to send to Berlin to BfR. (Sb)

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