EPA Denies Petition Calling for Lead Ammunition Ban (HQ)
WASHINGTON -
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today denied a petition
calling for a ban on the production and distribution of lead
hunting ammunition. EPA sent a letter to the petitioners explaining
the rejection – that letter can be found here: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/chemtest/pubs/sect21.html
Steve Owens, EPA assistant administrator for the
Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, issued the
following statement on the agency’s decision:
“EPA today denied a petition submitted by
several outside groups for the agency to implement a ban on the
production and distribution of lead hunting ammunition. EPA reached
this decision because the agency does not have the legal authority
to regulate this type of product under the Toxic Substances Control
Act (TSCA) – nor is the agency seeking such
authority.
“This petition, which was submitted to EPA
at the beginning of this month, is one of hundreds of petitions
submitted to EPA by outside groups each year. This petition was
filed under TSCA, which requires the agency to review and respond
within 90 days.
“EPA is taking action on many fronts to
address major sources of lead in our society, such as eliminating
childhood exposures to lead; however, EPA was not and is not
considering taking action on whether the lead content in hunting
ammunition poses an undue threat to wildlife.
“As there are no similar jurisdictional
issues relating to the agency's authority over fishing sinkers, EPA
– as required by law – will continue formally reviewing
a second part the petition related to lead fishing
sinkers.
“Those wishing to comment specifically on
the fishing tackle issue can do so by visiting https://www.regulations.gov/. EPA will consider comments that are submitted by
September 15.”
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