Blood lead levels

leadsource

On the job I was tested quarterly and only had a minor spike after shooting PPC indoor. Primers used to contain lead styphenate(a fine dust) easily breathed in and transferred to blood. Dusty scrap WW or other lead scrap can be a problem. Tumblers or vibrators loosen fine bullet and primer dust which can be absorbed by breathing, or from hands to swallow. I once cleaned thousands of primer pockets using motorized scraper and was shocked to see cloud of dust suspended in air. Try to work outdoors or under a venting fan. Avoid lead exposure to kids or pregnant women. Melting of lead is probably the smallest part of problem. There are three different units of measure(I have conversions), and some confusion and or paranoia on part of health professionals. Check World Health Org. , OSHA, etc for standards. I get my lead results in 5 days.
 
A few years ago some range officers showed high lead counts and all they did was supervise shooters. The range in question was shooting lead bullets, no mask or respirator.
They have since switched to plated bullets.
In our range I shoot cast lead bullets, but I wear a 3M 8210 Particulate respirator. I paid $29 for 20, but they are worth it, at the end of a 200 round night it is black. Other guys use $150 respirators.
In one night there would be 6 people shooting 200 rnds =1200 rounds worth of particles floating around. Last time I checked the level was ok.
 
My blood lead levels went up from reloading, I had not been to IPSC for a couple of months, so I know it was from careless reloading and cleaning. I have switched to solvent resistent nitrile gloves and wear them all the time. I am due to be rechecked, and hopefully it will have gone down!
 
I've been reloading since 1986, since then I've had 3 bad bouts of elevated blood lead levels. In each case the Base Medical Officer restricted(read that disallowed) my shooting for a 6 month period while the blood lead level returned to normal. If you are going to wear a mask while shooting go to a certified safety supply store and purchase a mask that is rated as effective in stopping lead airborne contaminent. Most lead on indoor ranges is made airborne by your feet as you walk down the indoor range. While I was in the service, part of retaining my RSO qualification for indoor ranges was that I had to get a blood test every 6 months.

Elevated blood lead levels are nothing to f*ck around with they can cause serious damage to your body. Loss of co-ordination, loss of memory, mood swings, etc. It can really screw relationships up badly. Since I retired I only shoot outdoors which helps minimize airborne lead contaminent. A PMed tech I used to shoot with also let me in on a secret, during the reloading process on a single stage press, you can handle a single round 5-6 times. Your skin absorbs a lot of lead this way. When reloading I now wear latex surgical gloves and since they are cheap, use them in bulk. This way the only time my hands actually touch lead is when I load and fire the firearm. I have shot IPSC and Cowboy action and I am a high volume shooter!



Symptoms:

BODY AS A WHOLE
tremor
twitching
convulsions
muscle soreness
fatigue
weakness
joint pain
incoordination

EYES, EARS, NOSE AND THROAT
visual abnormalities

GASTROINTESTINAL
loss of appetite
weight loss
constipation
nausea and vomiting
abdominal pain

HEART AND BLOOD VESSELS
high blood pressure

NERVOUS SYSTEM
agitation
coma
hallucinations
lack of desire to do anything
irritable
uncooperative
headache
sleeping difficulty
confusion

WebMD

General physical symptoms in children and adults (usually seen when lead poisoning levels are severe)

Stomachaches, cramping, constipation, or diarrhea
Nausea, vomiting
Persistent, unexplained fatigue
Headache
Muscle weakness
Higher rates of tooth decay

Behavioral symptoms in adults

Unexplained changes in mood or personality
Changes in sleep patterns
Inability to concentrate
Decreased ### drive
Memory loss
Irritability
 
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I've always had my lead levels checked during my annual checkups, never have had a problem. Even when shooting IPSC and going through lots of reloads and in contact with lots of lead and primers. I am very vigilant about keeping my reloading area clean and using good procedures when reloading and shooting to minimize my exposure. I am glad that I have not had any problems and hope not to, like others said, it is a very serious issue.

I try to avoid indoor ranges as much as possible as well, I think that goes a long way to keeping healthy rather than shooting in a crowded indoor range with a bunch of IPSC guys. Wasn't good for my asthma, couldn't be good for lead!
 
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Just got back from the doc.

I've been casting for around 9 months now with around 5000 bullets behind me.
I cast in my garage, just inside the door with the door open. I don't take any super special precautions other than I try to keep my face out of the pot.

Anyway, my level is at 0.14
They told me that this is perfectly normal and I'm not even close to having anything to worry about

Anybody know what a "normal" reading is???
 
From Health Canada website:

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/contaminants/lead-plomb_e.html

The half-life (time for the body to excrete half the accumulated lead) is about 25 years; therefore, lead can stay in the body for many years after exposure.
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And:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003360.htm

Normal Results Return to top

Adults:

* Less than 20 micrograms/dL of lead in the blood

Children:

* Less than 10 micrograms/dL of lead in the blood

Note: dL = deciliter
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And:

http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/OccHealth/Lead/default.asp

Ninety-four percent of adults with elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) are exposed to lead in the workplace. In 2004, 9170 adults were reported by 37 states to have blood lead levels (BLLs) greater than or equal to 25 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL).
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And:

http://www.webmd.com/news/20060918/lead-in-blood-safe-levels-too-high


A 'high' blood level is now defined as more than 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood (10 mcg/dL).
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14,000 Adults Tested

Data for the study came from nearly 14,000 adults who had their blood lead levels checked between 1988 and 1994 for government health studies.

Their average blood lead level was 2.58 mcg/dL.

Those with higher blood lead levels were more likely to be older, black or Mexican American, male, and smokers.
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I couldn't find any specfic numbers on the Health Canada website, but there was a reference in a report (from when the lie-berals were in power) that said that levels below 5 mcg/dL "could" be causing problems with kids.

I guess I'm doing pretty good with my 0.14 mcg/dL, being a smoker and a bullet caster....ya know smoking is going to drive it up some how. After all, smoking causes everything from leprocy to AIDS :rolleyes::eek:
 
Smoking like eating while shooting(handling lead ammo) are bad because of the hand to mouth contact, hence oral ingestion of lead particulate.

While smoking does not cause aids and leprocy it is annoying to find cig butts amongst the range brass when I am brass whoring, so stop it.;)
 
I work at an Oil refinery. We promise we have no bad chemicals there, nothing that would hurt you we promise. Just in case if you go into the yellow lines wear a goggles and a respirator. If you handle anything that comes out of that vessel wear Goggles, respirator and a Body condom! Ever since I have worked at the refinery I always wear a latex or similar type of glove while reloading or cleaning guns. I use them when gassing up mowers etc. Anytime I change oil or any repairs on my equipment I wear gloves. The only one who will protect you from chemicals in your home is you. If anyone uses chemicals on your lawns and gardens invest in some gloves. Hope this helps someone.
 
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