Avoiding Lead Exposure

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Mark S.

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I was doing some reading and came across some information that when shooting lead bullets, some of the lead gets into the air to be breathed in. Apparently this is a problem in indoor ranges. My understanding is that the airborne lead comes from both the bullet and the primer. I'd imagine lead residue also gets on your clothes, skin, hair, etc.

I was curious as to what you guys do to limit your lead exposure in an indoor range? I was thinking of using strictly TMJ bullets and using a lead removing shampoo/body wash after visiting the range. I see that TSE sells these products from "D-Lead" and thought it might be a good idea.

Also I was wondering, is FMJ still effective at limiting lead in the air even though the base of the lead bullet is still exposed? I imagine it is at least better than a pure lead bullet.

Last time I went to the range I shot 100 rounds of pure lead bullets (American Eagle cheapies) but only washed my hands. I wiped what looked like gunpowder residue off my arms and face with a towel from shell casings hitting me and that's it. Am I paranoid or is this something I don't really need to worry about?

Thanks,

Mark
 
When i did shot at the indoor range i had a couple things i used.
Long sleeves, gloves, wear a hat, and of course eye protection
There isn't alot you can get away lead exposure, if other are shooting besides wearing a full mask.
and limited exposure will not harm you.
 
Don't want lead exposure.......find another hobby.

Your going to inhale some directly and get exposed no matter what.

Ventilation only reduces hang around time of the lead content in the air.
 
I certainly expect some exposure, at least from the guys shooting around me, but if I was using TMJ low lead/lead free rounds wouldn't that significantly reduce my exposure? That plus a shower after range visits seems like it would reduce my exposure for sure but I am no expert.

Mark
 
yep, a shower after a indoor shooting is a way to go too. You don't hear too much about lead poisoning from gun range use. I would not worry, keep shooting and having fun.
 
You've got to be kidding! Do you use a cell phone? That'll do more harm to you than the lead that comes off of bullets! Do you live in a house with electricity? I know that your plunking your butt in front of a computer. People have gotten sick from lead yes........eating acidic foods off of lead plates, out of lead cans, kids that are chewers chewing on their crib or the walls (same kids play with toys filled with styrene by the way). But give me a break! Pretty soon some jerk liberal is gonna have us shooting lead free bullets (that for some odd reason cost about twice as much as standard bullets with only half the manufacturing steps as standard bullets), and we as hunters/ gun owners are going to be foolish and ignorant enough to fallow along like sheep without saying "wait a minute!" small amounts of lead aren't a bad thing. Lead bullets aren't a bad thing! Since bird hunters have had to start shooting steel, way more birds have flown away wounded then ever got sick by eating lead! ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike
 
Your family doctor can check your lead content if your that concerned. My blood lead content was high. I started a thread a while ago on this. The guys on CGN told me about some precautions to take. So i do that now. I'm not about to give up shooting. I keep buying more guns.AGE
 
Lots of people use indoor ammo like Winclean where the FMJ covers the base of the bullet as well. It is not much more expensive than any other practice ammo. I use D Lead at the range and wipe my face and mouth as well. Obviously, don't eat or drink at the range. Lead poisoning is no joke but you can have your doctor monitor your lead levels and take action early (before significant harm) if you notice your levels going up. Some indoor ranges have better ventilation than others though so YMMV.

Jeff
 
CanAm said:
Primers are the biggest source of lead.
Click to expand...

Could you explain a little more please? I know that there is lead in the primers, but there seems to be so little amount of material in a primer period, little alone how much is lead, that I never really thought of the primer as the biggest source. Thanks!
 
how much would FMJ really do? I would expect alot of particles you would be inhaling at an indoor range would come from the round hitting the backstop. I wouldn't be too worried about lead. People have been shooting for decades and no ones died from it. Otherwise the antis would be parading the fact at every opportunity that shooting sports are fatal to its participants.

Just don't throw .22s or leadshot into your breakfast cereal, that would probably be a bad idea. :p
 
ok some of the precautions are first done by the range. If the indoor does have good ventilation and airflow it will definitely help reduce it.

next comes from how much shooting you are doing. If you are their daily shooting 200 rds per day, that's is hugely different than if you are going bi-weekly shooting 200rds each time. The more you go the more precautions, and maybe even checks you should get by your doctor.

My father had his lead level at approx 6 times what is the max level when he was shooting at a small indoor (but shooting daily) when he was more heavily involved in IPSC. Doctor tested, then the first recommendation was NO MORE indoor shooting for about 1-2 years. Because lead levels take a long time to come down. They have half lifes. for example if your lead level should be say 5 maximum and it is 25 then after one year it is 12.5 after 2 years its 6.25 after 3 years its 3.125 so it takes 3 years to come to acceptable levels.

But again this is only if your range doesn't have good ventilation or airflow. This was years and years ago (actually decades, lols), and many ranges, have come a long way from then in design and safety and ventilation, airflow, you name it.

You should if possible wear long sleeves, hat, pants, to help REDUCE the amount getting on you overall. Try not to eat or drink there. If you do, then wash hands and FACE twice before doing it. Then when you get home a recommendation is a shower. I mean its your life whats the difference to take another 10 mins to shower quickly too.
 
Long term; neurological, probably eventual numbness in limbs, discolouration in teeth and fingernails (and insanity like mecury poisoning??)

short term; vomitting, diariah and probably other stuff.

Some people also say one of the reasons that the ancient roman leadership went and shat itself by the end is they all got lead poisonning from the water pipes. But thats probably pretty unlikely because of salt and mineral buildup on the inside of the pipes isolating the lead.

time to go check wiki now :)
 
Sounds like a hangover to me......:D

In preparation for some black powder shooting I am setting up to cast lead balls and bullets,lots of ventilation, wear disposable gloves careful control of slag disposal. If lead exposure were that big a problem we would all be dead....:eek:
 
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bigdaddyeo said:
So who knows exactly what the symptoms of lead poisoning are?... and no Wikipedia!
Click to expand...

Depending on level of accumulation it could range from nothing noticeable, to muscle cramping, soreness/stiffness in joints, constipation, fatigue, gastro- intestinal cramping, anemia, and extreme damages including encephelopathy (sp), there are others but I can't remember them right now.

Did I get it right? ;)

Cheers
 
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