Jabali:

Thanks for the info.

Don't you have to use FMJ's at most rifle ranges there in the UK? If so, is that a lead containment issue or is that to prevent undue destruction of the ranges?

Lead poisoning in waterfowl is primarily an issue involving the grinding of lead shot in bird crops IIRC, specifically lead shot taken up by diving ducks, and when reduced to such small particles some health issues may arise, though I am not certain if that has been conclusively proven, or if the mechanical processes were isolated and health threats merely interpolated from the possibilities presented.

Small lead particulates can cause health problems, though, but the particle size has to be very small from what I have read, and I mean very small. As in lead pollution which gets in the ground from auto emissions or massive lead dust accumulation on railroad beds near mining areas as has been suggested here in north Idaho or possibly lead vaporisation caused by shooting steel plates at rifle ranges or that given off in tap water supplies by superheated water passing over lead pipes or solder. These are totally different issues than those presented by rifle bullets in normal dirt backstops and light years separated by the scattering of lead rifle bullets in the field caused by hunting.

I would love to also hear from a chemist that can comment from professional experience or personal interest in this lead bullet topic?