Open firing ranges pose greater risks to health than expected. Many assume that the winds blow the lead laden smoke away — and they are right — keeping the immediate area around the firing range clear of lead-laden dust, smoke and particulates. Their mistake is believing that the problem is “gone with the wind”. Their misguided belief blinds them to wind’s role as a harbinger, carrying the poisonous particulates and dust over wet lands, ponds, and lakes where they drop from the sky to spread the health hazard of lead poisoning to the wildlife below.
Experts estimate, as the Violence Policy Center (VPC) reports, that lead finds its way into the ecosystems from open firing ranges. All that smoke must go somewhere. The wind acts like a fan spreading the lead that inevitably, and predictably, falls. The firing range acts as a generator of lead. When coupled with the winds, instead of providing a safer place for shooters and the environment, the outdoor firing ranges possess as many dangers, if not more, than an indoor range.
When the lead finally drops from the sky, it lands on whatever lies beneath. In many instances, firing ranges are located near woods, wildlife regions, or remote areas because of the noise level and the smell emitted on days when the range is in heavy use.
Sadly, fish, birds, and other wildlife live on, in, and around lakes, wet lands and other water bodies. They depend on these topographical features for sustenance and life. As with humans, when lead begins to accumulate in their system, the predictable damage to the nervous system, organs, and more occurs. Like DDT’s terrible effect on wildlife, so eloquently describe in the Pulitzer prize-winning book by Rachel Carson “Silent Spring”, the impact also disrupts the breeding cycle, potentially reducing the numbers of future generations.
The biggest impact is to waterfowl. Despite regulation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to stop the use of lead shot, according to the Violence Policy Center, it is estimated that 300,000 waterfowl die annually from lead poisoning. Other animals, as the life cycle plays out, then consume these dead birds, possibly increasing the lead amounts in their brains and organs.
The biggest problem is cleaning up and no one so far has an answer. Lead has a very long half-life. Scientists estimate that a lead molecule will last 1.9 x 10^19 years. Just add 19 zeros to the 1.9 years and a picture of the hazard and its potential for long-term harm becomes shockingly clear.
Surprising, but in many states there are no regulations covering outdoor ranges. Looking to the EPA for answers is futile. There are alternatives and those concerned with protecting the environment have instituted injunctive suits successfully under CERCLA, the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and more.
MT2 is the Nation’s leading provider of environmental firing range services having provided professional, high-integrity solutions to over 1,200 public and private indoor and outdoor firing ranges for military, law enforcement and municipalities nationwide in all 50 States since 2000. MT2 is committed to protecting law enforcement officers who protect and serve our communities.
MT2 has recycled over 12 MILLION tons of lead, returning over $4,000,000 dollars to ranges owners, while working closely with range owners to implement firing range Best Management Practices (BMPs). MT2’s zero-tolerance for regulatory violations gives range owners the peace of mind that their project will be successfully completed on a guaranteed schedule.
No one can complete a firing range lead reclamation project quicker and safer than MT2.
Contact us today to discuss your range maintenance and lead reclamation needs.