Lead Fishing Tackle Ban

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t support a ban. I spent an entire year opposing a MN lead tackle ban back in 2004. While MN has a huge population of waterfowl; other States don’t. In some of those States, there is a small number of birds that are affected. The Anti-lead folks did present an interesting study that indicated some Loons actually diving for small colored jigheads laying on the bottom in one of the Great lakes. So, in other States where waterfowl such as Loons are less abundant, things like lead poisoning is a bigger issue then we might see it here. In MN for Loons: disease, loss of habitat, aggression, predation and accidents are the greater threats. Manufacturing of fishing tackle containing lead is highly regulated and safe. But if we go back to having a high number of folks working with lead in their homes and garages, the likelihood of seeing poor or bad practices increases. My 83 year old Dad who does quite a it of reloading just laughs and says “whats it going to do -Kill me”? Yet I’m glad my kids have grown up with a healthy fear of not taking toxic substances so casually.

Personally, I think Lutafisk kills more fisherman than melting lead in ones home. After all few sit down for a dinner of lead dipped in butter.

The catfishing community isn’t dying off too fast at least that I know of. I would guess they melt more lead at home than anyone (by weight).

Melting lead and “wheel weights” at home is very safe if done correctly as is driving a boat, going hunting or fishing for that matter.

My concern is these folks will outlaw the smaller < 1/4 oz jigs, sinkers and the like…then they’ll move on to the guys that use 1,2,3,4,5,6 ounce sinkers and hand lining weights. It’s the natural progression of things.

If we are worried about poisoning birds ect, let’s go and do something that’s going to make a difference. I see pesticides, herbicides and fertilizer as a larger problem.

Just two cents from a cat guy that makes around 100 4 oz sinkers per year.

Brian, not sure how, where or under what conditions that your melting lead or who is around you when your doing it. Here are some safety tips and symptoms. (LOL this might explain the fascination of catching Cats LOL)

The process of melting lead causes a lead vapor, which is extremely poisonous and can be easily inhaled. Melting lead should always occur in a well-ventilated area in the absence of children or pregnant women, as they are most vulnerable to the harmful effects of lead poisoning. No matter what the source of lead exposure, the end result is always the same. Once lead enters the body, it is absorbed by the lungs and/or the digestive tract. The lead then enters the bloodstream and is distributed to all tissues throughout the body. Health effects as a result of lead exposure are directly related with the concentration of lead. At low levels of exposure, slight changes in nervous system function and muscle and joint pain can occur. High levels of lead exposure have been associated with memory and concentration problems, extreme tiredness, reproductive problems, kidney failure and even coma or death.

Quote:

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reproductive problems

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That explains it!

Ventilation is a good thing when it comes to melting lead.

Whatcha doing this winter Buzz? I could use a hand.

So how many of you guys used to use your teeth to open and close the small split shot sinkers? That all we used as kids.

Quote:

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Brian, not sure how, where or under what conditions that your melting lead or who is around you when your doing it. Here are some safety tips and symptoms. (LOL this might explain the fascination of catching Cats LOL)

The process of melting lead causes a lead vapor, which is extremely poisonous and can be easily inhaled. Melting lead should always occur in a well-ventilated area in the absence of children or pregnant women, as they are most vulnerable to the harmful effects of lead poisoning. No matter what the source of lead exposure, the end result is always the same. Once lead enters the body, it is absorbed by the lungs and/or the digestive tract. The lead then enters the bloodstream and is distributed to all tissues throughout the body. Health effects as a result of lead exposure are directly related with the concentration of lead. At low levels of exposure, slight changes in nervous system function and muscle and joint pain can occur. High levels of lead exposure have been associated with memory and concentration problems, extreme tiredness, reproductive problems, kidney failure and even coma or death.

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This statement might carry more weight [no pun intended] if it also stated at what temperature lead vaporizes. I don’t believe I have seen it boil yet and I melt a lot of lead.

While I do make certain that I am in an area that is well ventilated while working with lead, and suggest anyone working with do the same, we seel a lot of statements to this affect without any supporting data to back it up. These dead-end statements are what fuels the negativity that the sponsors of this ludicris tribe watch the general public to dwell on.

I’m not big on statistics and I am not big on this lead vapor allegation without some serious KNOWN/PROVABLE data backing it up. I see it as just another bone being thrown.

And sorry Buzz….I know you weren’t advocating the statement. I don’t want you or anyone to think I was coming off on you. That was not my intention. Nothing but respect for you!.

I’m only trying to allow people understand some of the ploys groups wanting to push an idea use.

Just so there isn’t a misunderstanding…the Lutefisk comment was a direct shot at you Buzz!

Lead:

Melting point 600.61 K, 327.46 C, 621.43 F

Boiling point 2022 K, 1749 C, 3180 F at its boiling point it starts to emit vapors. (Which is our concern.)

I knew I should not have used that liquid Hydrogen stove to melt the bulk lead. I just knew it.

Meaning of course that anyone who is melting lead for tackle purposes really doesn’t have to worry since any molds used would melt upon contact at those temps.

Thanks for putting that data in place Brian.

I have more experience with re-loaders who smelt their own bullets than fishing, but invariably problems arise from contact with the lead and then to the skin or mouth.

Last time I heard of someone suffering from lead poisoning was when they were smelting bullets they were nibbling on snacks..

A bit of caution makes smelting lead imho safer than driving down the freeway…..er…that may not be saying much I guess..:)

Al

Well I sent my reply. Thought I would bump this back to the top just in case someone has not seen this. Deadline is September 15th for those of you that haven’t heard about this. Fishermen really need to be a strong voice to protect what we all love to do.