 In the early 1970s , the price rose rapidly as a result of increasing demand for bismuth as a metallurgical additive to aluminium , iron and steel . This was followed by a decline owing to increased world production , stabilized consumption , and the recessions of 1980 and 1981 – 82 . In 1984 , the price began to climb as consumption increased worldwide , especially in the United States and Japan . In the early 1990s , research began on the evaluation of bismuth as a nontoxic replacement for lead in ceramic glazes , fishing sinkers , food @-@ processing equipment , free @-@ machining brasses for plumbing applications , lubricating greases , and shot for waterfowl hunting . Growth in these areas remained slow during the middle 1990s , in spite of the backing of lead replacement by the US Government , but intensified around 2005 . This resulted in a rapid and continuing increase in price . 
