House Bill 2241 restricts the sale of some items that contain mercury and fishing items that contain lead. This law is a revision of the law that wanted to prohibit the sale of any items containing lead, not the use of it.
The sale of lead tackle would not be allowed and the Department of Ecology would be enforcing this law at the sales only level and not coming after anglers for using it. The Department of Fish and Wildlife would have nothing to do with it.
Sport angling lobbyists are arguing that the lead ban has nothing to do with bird or marine life or hurting them, and that anglers should be allowed continued use of the lead tackle. But lead does not just hurt marine wildlife or the birds in question, it is dangerous and toxic to human beings as well, just ask any parent with a child suffering from lead toxicity.
No, they most likely did not get the "lead contamination" from the bottom of a manmade reservoir, but the way waters are "drying up" and dams are being taken down, why should we let the lead tackle line the bottoms of lake and stream beds, with the possibility that furture generations may build on, or make their homes there. Taking the chance that their drinking water or food will be contaminated and leading to lead toxicity for themselves or their chidren.
The bill is not about stopping fishing when it comes to the Department of Ecology, but for the safety and welfare of all life on the planet. Lead is found in paint, children's toys, cosmetics, it has changed how contractors build homes, all because of the serious health problems that come from contact with it.
The lead poisoning issue is so serious there is even a National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, that happen each year in America, urging people to reduce the chances of lead exposure and prevent lead poisoning. Why should the fishing industry be exempt from this health issue? Just because it has been going on for decades doesn't make it all right.
Children are the ones with the biggest health risk, especially children under the age of six.
During NLPPW, many states and communities offer free blood-lead testing and conduct various education and awareness events. For more information about NLPPW activities in your area, please contact your state or local health department.
Every year, CDC, in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA and the Department of Housing and Urban Development HUD, develops posters in observance of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week NLPPW.
Give our scientists and inventors more credit than that, somebody will come up with something else we can use in place of lead.
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