Lead shot fired by competitive shooters should be banned by the International Olympic Committee because it can harm wildlife and the environment, according to a new study.
A single shooter can discharge more than a ton of lead shot each year, which poses risks to wildlife and groundwater quality due to its toxicity.
The University of Guelph study is not concerned with the discharge that occurs during actual Games, such as the biathlon at the 2014 Winter Olympics at Sochi, as this is often recovered and recycled. Researchers are more concerned about the amount of lead shot used on practice ranges between Games.
Read more at University of Guelph