Corker, does it really take a study to prove something as simple as "common sense"?
Lead has been ruled such a safe product to use for paint...that's why there isn't lead based paint. Speaking of lead based paint, how about the million or so Chinese made Wal-mart toys that were recalled do to lead based paint. Maybe we should have let the toys come in and told our kids, "oh a little lead won't hurt you.."
How about the safe use of lead for potable water lines into millions of homes? Seems like somebody was able to prove beyond some slim doubt that lead got carried into each glass of water each man, woman and child drank.
If lead is so safe, why do you think they now use "lead-free" solder to solder the copper water lines in your house...see reason above.
If lead is so safe, why has it been banned from gasoline? Here is a link for you to mull over
EPA Takes Final Step in Phaseout of Leaded Gasoline | EPA History | US EPA
The evidence for banning lead is quite overwhelming if you really look at the adverse and irreversible side effects lead causes.
I am sure I could find evidence against lead in waterways to make the point too. I used these examples because with lead being safe to use, it only made sense to point out products that no longer use lead. Products that were once part of the older generations lives on a daily basis.
All of us need to accept the change and plan for the future anglers of America. Do millions of dollars really need to be spent to prove common sense?
I will have to endure the same expense and inconvenience as everyone else once this passes. If nothing else, think about children who will benefit from the change rather than yourself.
Jim