I would agree with you. In the guns/anti-gun debate, I roll my eyes at the lack of objective data. So, I am happy to back any effort that will yield good information. It is interesting that they mention paint samples. It would indeed be interesting to determine how much lead has been introduced into the environment from applying a spiffy paint job to that nice new fire lookout, a favorite project back in the Great Depression. I can recall one lookout on a desert peak in Arizona where the fire danger was nil. And yes, it was decaying, with splinters and slivers of paint all over the place.

I would happily return to that summit to obtain samples. What a great excuse for a good climb!

Thinking even further back in history, many southern Arizona peaks were occupied as heliograph stations during the Geronimo campaign. That might have brought in a little lead here and there.