bbs and the environment

[made Man]

I think Dozer ate like 170 or something before, or at least he claimed he did.

[skewed]

Originally Posted by Scarecrow

"As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."

F*ck. Yes. Seriously.

[rommel_thedesertfox@hotma]

i know that if u eat them it'll pass through but have u guys heard of the albatross chicks that dies from a full stomach and couldnt eat anymore? i thought the biodegradable bbs might melt in the stomachs. and not only birds wat about any other wildlife? Birds might find the bbs attractive like the discaded cigarette lighters.

[Cortexburn]

For true bio bb's they degrade via UV light and water in three or so months.

I've never heard any issues of birds eating bb's. While it may happen it's not offering any effect that has been published that I'm aware of.

I've always directed those concerned with the effect of bb's on the environment to look at the land fills and see what a mess that is....shooting bb's in comparison is nothing really.

[Drake]

I love these hypothetical groundless and utterly pointless debates.

The short answer is It isn't a problem, so don't try and stir it into one.

If BBs were do damn bad for animals, airsoft and paintball fields (because we ARE playing on designated paintball and airsoft fields, and not out in general wooded areas and in our backyards, right? RIGHT?) would be littered with the corpses of birds and squirrels and rodents and whatever other little furry forest animals happened to feast on our spent munitions.

That isn't happening.

It's not a problem.

If it still bothers you, use your afternoon volunteering at the SPCA or Greenpeace or WWF or something, instead of airsofting.

[frankiet]

I've been testing excel's Bio-bbs. So far, after two months 'in the elements', no signs of degrading. I'm still watching them.

[Scarecrow]

Originally Posted by frankiet

I've been testing excel's Bio-bbs. So far, after two months 'in the elements', no signs of degrading. I'm still watching them.

My understanding is you need two things in abundance to get the process going - natural light (with UV) and constant exposure to moisure. Putting them in a planter by your window on the soil is the best way to simulate it if you want.

[Colin_S]

Originally Posted by frankiet

I've been testing excel's Bio-bbs. So far, after two months 'in the elements', no signs of degrading. I'm still watching them.

What I did was put a couple of cups in the middle of my parents back yard where there was a lot of sun. One was in water, the other wasn't. The one in water became quite pastey after about 6 weeks or so.

If it still bothers you, use your afternoon volunteering at the SPCA or Greenpeace or WWF or something, instead of airsofting.

Heh I already do that on my weeknights, card carrying memeber of the Sierra Club of Canada and Greenpeace.

[Scarecrow]

Originally Posted by Colin_S

What I did was put a couple of cups in the middle of my parents back yard where there was a lot of sun. One was in water, the other wasn't. The one in water became quite pastey after about 6 weeks or so.

Submerged in water will kill it the quickest. I believe most of the biobbs are made with compressed corn starch, a UV sensitive bonding agent and a UV sensitive sealer. Once you overcome the surface finish and can penetrate the compressed core, the process should begin in earnest.

Yes, some BBs will end up in puddles, but I think a more real world test is the one I described as I think BBs will be exposed to ambiant moisture and varying temperatures.

[Amgoosen]

Originally Posted by frankiet

I've been testing excel's Bio-bbs. So far, after two months 'in the elements', no signs of degrading. I'm still watching them.

A watched BB never degrades? :P

[frankiet]

Originally Posted by Scarecrow

My understanding is you need two things in abundance to get the process going - natural light (with UV) and constant exposure to moisure. Putting them in a planter by your window on the soil is the best way to simulate it if you want.

I've got them outside 'in the elements' in different conditions. Some are fully exposed, some emersed in water, some semi-embedded in soil. All do get fully exposed to natural sunlight and precipitation.

I checked them last week both visually and weighed them. There was no noticable discrepancies from a stock bb. I will continue to monitor them for a year since some say that it takes at least six months to notice anything.

I have heard that the only truly biodegradable bbs are produced by a company called Bioval. I have been unable to procure a sample. If anybody has or knows a local contact, PM me.

[rommel_thedesertfox@hotma]

Originally Posted by Drake

I love these hypothetical groundless and utterly pointless debates.

The short answer is It isn't a problem, so don't try and stir it into one.

If BBs were do damn bad for animals, airsoft and paintball fields (because we ARE playing on designated paintball and airsoft fields, and not out in general wooded areas and in our backyards, right? RIGHT?) would be littered with the corpses of birds and squirrels and rodents and whatever other little furry forest animals happened to feast on our spent munitions.

That isn't happening.

It's not a problem.

If it still bothers you, use your afternoon volunteering at the SPCA or Greenpeace or WWF or something, instead of airsofting.

k man you made it the clearest to me thx. case closed

[deep in the bush]

hey talked to a pal who is a biologist...first birds may put bb in mouth but will dump it as it tastes like petroleum (plastic is an oil product) to them...second uv light is required for most bio bbs... thus sunlight out side has UV where most UV inside are blocked by windows.

deep


and if they do eat it...all it does is come out other side.. i've eaten a few and thats what it does to me... he he

of yeah i use old ones inplanters at home as they break up soil nicely to let it arreate for moisture..plants are big and tall now...they are flowers guys...don't get excited.