Ban on lead...coming soon?

[JeannaJigs]

Got an interesting email about a proposed federal ban on lead use in fishing tackle. Can read more about it here, and sign a petition opposing it if you so desire. I for one, not in agreement with it.

Keep America Fishing


Just thought some of you might be interested in that little bit of info.

 

[everett464]

I dont understand the 1% language. Is it 1% of non old-age deaths, or 1% of overall deaths? because if it is 1% of overall deaths, I see that as a big number. Either way it seems like a big number to me.

I don't really have a strong opinion either way, but I maybe lean towards the ban. The faster they are forced to, the faster tackle companies will start working on, and perfecting solutions. Until they are forced to, no one will pay them for the time and money it is going to take research and develop products that will be adequate and affordable.

 

[Thuggin4Life]

I would have a hard time paying them if they stopped using lead. I use lead all the time for salmon/steel fishing. sometimes 2 balss cost like 8 bucks or something and they get snagged and lost from time to time. no imagine paying lots more for the same ball. I deffinantly would offer to take anyone out and share my gear.

 

[troutdude]

If the ban does go into effect; I will pull all of my boxes of various lead weights out of my storage. Then, I will make a huge pile on the front porch of the White House; and the lobbyists for the new "non lead" weight companies that spring into existence.

Eco Weanies - 0 Troutdude - 1

 

[JeannaJigs]

I'm all for enviromental protection....to a point, but until they lower the cost and improve upon the quality of non lead alternatives, I think it's BS. I think that their should be a move to make lead free alternatives more available, but to make them mandatory...nope.

 

[everett464]

I think that their should be a move to make lead free alternatives more available, but to make them mandatory...nope.

Who is going to pay for It? American innovation is controlled by demand. No demand, no innovation.

 

[troutdude]

I'm all for enviromental protection....but to make them mandatory...nope.

Ding Ding! (Not to mention, that they'll likely be more expensive...at least at first...to pay for R & D)

 

[TTFishon]

Who is going to pay for It? American innovation is controlled by demand. No demand, no innovation.

You mean profit

 

[MustangBill]

Tungsten, Bismuth, Bronze and Brass are all options to replace lead. I have used my lathe and turned my own tungsten bullet weights but they do cost more. The other problem is any heavy metal will have an impact on the environment. Here is another thing to ponder a lot of heavy metals occur naturally. There are a number of lakes and rivers that have high mercury content. East lake right here in Central Oregon has Mercury warnings.

I view lead sinkers and lures like anything else… used in moderation they don’t have a huge impact.

I think people have not handled lead properly which has caused more heath problems than anything. I have soldered electronics for better than 23 years now. It is tin/lead based. My dad and I have made our own fishing weights for longer than I can remember, and I still do make them to this day. You can go to scrap yards and buy bulk lead melt it down and recast it. There are just basic safety precautions to follow like anything it can be safe. As far as lead caused deaths go if you let your kids chew on a sinker guess what they are going to get sick… I used to see people use solder to clean their teeth after lunch. That kind of thing happens all of the time. When people like that get sick they whine that they were poisoned, but it is their own fault due to ignorance, but the supposed bad item gets a bad rap. Has anyone ever looked at labeling from California? It seems that everything down there causes cancer. I wonder what they do with stuff down there, :think: on second thought I don’t think I really want to know.

Ok I will step off the soap box now.

Everyone has their own opinion and I can respect that.

 

[The Nothing]

So, other than the cost involved with tungsten and some other lead alternatives, there's no reason to be upset?

just poking a bit, I have my thoughts on the subject... Not to mention that the EPA dropped this proposal just before this thread was started

 

[Troutski]

Lead paint on ships...

Lead paint on ships...

I imagine they will pull the balance weights off of our tires too, then there are the anchors, Navy ship paints, oh, and if you have old fillings in your teeth you can't get near the water.... The list can go on for ever, why just fishing tackle...I believe tobacco causes far more damage to humans and our environment than all the sinkers on the bottom. I guess it all comes down to the lobbyist and politicians, we all know they have our best interest at heart.
I knew I should have left this thread alone....now my blood pressure is up, looks like it is time to go fishing to relax and become calm...yea - that's the ticket, maybe some bottom fishing.

Chuck

 

[Markcanby]

Actually from what I have seen they are trying to cut back an lead that can be easily changed to other heavy metals. Its not the really the lead sinkers they are trying to get rid of its 30 mile an growing dead zone around the factory that makes lead in MO.

 

[everett464]

You mean profit

No, I actually meant demand. You are correct in implying that profit margins are part of the equation, because when companies aren't profitable they fold, and people lose jobs. But you still need to have an in-demand product to spur development. The more people who want it, the more spread out the costs. Most companies actually see the lower production costs as a way to lower the cost of their product and get it into more hands, especially when they are looking to replace an existing, cheaper product. overall profit may go up, because the product is actually affordable, but profit margins on individual units remain relatively static.

I sensed a bit of flip in your response. I can only assume that you are expressing some sort of opinion about the concept of profit. I don't get it... are you mad at capitalism, the "greedy" corporations, or... what?

 

[TTFishon]

No, I actually meant demand. You are correct in implying that profit margins are part of the equation, because when companies aren't profitable they fold, and people lose jobs. But you still need to have an in-demand product to spur development. The more people who want it, the more spread out the costs. Most companies actually see the lower production costs as a way to lower the cost of their product and get it into more hands, especially when they are looking to replace an existing, cheaper product. overall profit may go up, because the product is actually affordable, but profit margins on individual units remain relatively static.

I sensed a bit of flip in your response. I can only assume that you are expressing some sort of opinion about the concept of profit. I don't get it... are you mad at capitalism, the "greedy" corporations, or... what?

I do kind of have a negative view on greed I guess.

 

[everett464]

You should start collecting investors and writing grants for a non-profit tackle company. Let me know how it goes.

 

[TTFishon]

Actually I'm all for profit as long as it's honest. It's the corrupt greed that pisses me off.