An additional method used to prevent lead contamination at shooting ranges and during waterfowl hunting is to employ the use of lead-free ammunition. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) implemented a ban on the use of lead shot for migratory waterfowl hunting which was finalized in 1991. They have also developed a review/certification process to evaluate the safety of other alternative shot materials. The regulations and approval process are in Part 20 of Volume 50, Code of
Federal Regulations. Part 20.134 covers the approval process.
The testing process is in 50 CFR 20.134. The shot approved is in 50
CFR 20.21(j).
Most U. S. ammunition manufacturers produce lead-free ammunition.
As of January 1, 2001 the only shot types that have received permanent nontoxic
approval are:
steel shot
steel shot with coating of <1% of either copper, nickel, zinc chromate
or zinc chloride
bismuth-tin
tungsten-iron
tungsten-polymer
tungsten-matrix
tungsten-nickel-iron (a.k.a. HEVI-SHOT)
The USFWS granted temporary approval for tin shot during the 2000-01 hunting season.
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