How does lead equipment affect waterfowl?
Waterfowl such as loons eat the lead equipment which they mistake for snails. They die of lead poisoning. A single lead sinker is enough to kill a loon. When a bird ingests lead, they break down the lead in their gizzard or stomach. The acid in the gizzard dissolves the lead and it enters the bloodstream where it is carried to the organs. The lead accumulates in the organs and bones, killing the bird.
