Melting lead to make fishing sinkers is very dangerous!

Along its long coastline, as well as its rivers and lakes, many South Africans practice fishing for commercial, subsistence and recreational purposes. Fishing, as well as diving, often involves the melting of lead to make sinkers or weights. Unfortunately, many people melt lead without realizing that it can cause serious contamination of the environment. The practice is also highly hazardous to the health of those melting lead, as well as their families and friends. Studies undertaken by the Medical Research Council have shown that far too many children in South African fishing villages have lead poisoning.

View the complete fact sheet in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa.

Do Not Melt Lead - poster