Rigorous scientific studies of lead ammunition fragmentation in deer and wildlife have only recently been completed. Several studies reviewing the implications of inadvertent ingestion of lead fragments by scavengers such as condors, eagles, and vultures are also now available.

Even more recently, researchers have begun to review the incidence of bullet fragments in processed venison. Because historical information suggests that even low levels of lead exposure can be harmful, these studies have prompted great interest in developing a better understanding of how lead ammunition may affect human health.

The studies below include some of the most recent scientific data on secondary effects of lead ammunition. 

Non-Lead Ammunition Program Hunter Survey Arizona Game and Fish Department (pdf 258 kb)

Ballistic Injury Wound Ballistics Laboratory (pdf 391 kb)

Exposure of California Condors to Lead From Spent Ammunition The Journal of Wildlife Management (pdf 1,498 kb)

Experimental Lead Poisoning in Turkey Vultures Journal of Wildlife Diseases (pdf 151 kb)

Ammunition is the Principal Source of Lead Accumulated by California Condors Re-Introduced to the Wild UCSC Department of Environmental Toxicology (pdf 2,927 kb)

Science Links Lead Ammunition to Lead Exposure in California Condors Consortium of Scientists (pdf 181 kb)

Bullet Fragments in Deer Remains: Implications for Lead Exposure in Avian Scavengers The Peregrine Fund (pdf 309 kb)

Carcasses of Shot Richardson's Ground Squirrels May Pose Lead Hazards to Scavenging Hawks National Wildlife Reseach Centre (pdf 127 kb)

Lead Sources in Human Diet in Greenland National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (pdf 694 kb)

Maternal and umbilical cord blood levels of mercury, lead, cadmium, and essential trace elements in Arctic Canada  Environmental Research 100 (pdf 481)

Lead and Wildlife: A Bibliography of Selected Citations  Ventana Wilderness Society (pdf 41 kb)

Lead Poisoning in Captive Andean Condors  Journal of Wildlife Diseases (pdf 196 kb)

Experimental Lead-Shot Poisoning in Bald Eagles  Journal of Wildlife Management (pdf 170)

Bullet Fragmentation Study: Supplementary Data   Peregrine Fund (pdf 5,204 kb)

A Review of Lead Poisoning from Ammunition Sources in Terrestrial Birds  Biological Conservation (pdf 234 kb)