Disturbing report about toxic levels of lead exposure to shooters..

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freeflier

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I was researching the possible health risks of exposure to airborne toxins found at indoor ranges and I discovered that exposure to lead is a significant health risk. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ranges/
Apparently both cleaning guns and breathing in gun smoke can significantly increase ones exposure to lead. Was anyone else aware of this and does anyone know where one could purchase the "Leadtech" or "Hygenall" hand wipes recommended in the above report (for the removal lead from the surface of one's hands)?
 
freeflier said:
I was researching the possible health risks of exposure to airborne toxins found at indoor ranges and I discovered that exposure to lead is a significant health risk. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ranges/
Apparently both cleaning guns and breathing in gun smoke can significantly increase ones exposure to lead. Was anyone else aware of this and does anyone know where one could purchase the "Leadtech" or "Hygenall" hand wipes recommended in the above report (for the removal lead from the surface of one's hands)?
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Be weary of cross contamination. Wash your hands before you eat. Your indoor range should have a good air exchange system. If not make sure to raise your health concerns with the directors.

If you're really concerned ask your doctor to do blood work once a year. I do a lot of soldering and my company draws blood every year.

I wouldn't go all germaphobic! You can always stop breathing and chop off your hands when you're done shooting :)

P.S. Remember the research on washing hands was conducted by the same people who invented the product. Shady at best.
 
I didn't know that. Time to get rid of all my guns I guess. Thanks for the warning though. Seriously if where you shoot is well vented indoors and you wash up with a bar of soap after and don';t eat your food before doing so you should be fine.
 
I recall reading the label on a box of ammo some 20 years ago and it mentioned something about lead.
 
Also, at a shooting range the risk of lead contamination pales in comparison to lead flying directly at you.

Sorry, I couldn't resist :evil:
 
I thought airborne lead always feel to the ground pretty quickly....and the most common exposure to lead was through food when people don't wash their hands.
 
Hence the reason you now see the indoor range we have at Abbotsford dude, my lead levels were massive before we changed that over. As well I have changed how I handle my reloading and cleaning of my guns. Some of the most important steps one can take, and I usually mention this during S&D but I realize I haven't recently, is to wash you hands and face before you leave. also wash your hands before you take a piss.
as for the hand cleaners, I think a few of the local shops sell the D-Lead hand wipes, I have both them and the hand soap in my bags. The soap in the dispensers at Abby is the same stuff as well.
 
The contamination from cleaning solvents through your airways or skin is much more concentrated than the lead in the air in a well ventilated range.
 
Slavex said:
my lead levels were massive before we changed that over.
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I hope not because lead is an element, it never decomposes into another substance that might be more easily tolerated, and it never leaves your body. Damage from consistent lead exposure is cumulative and usually irreversible.

So how did you lower those "massive" amounts?
 
Yup, it'll do that.

Between casting, reloading, shooting indoors a couple days a week, and other gun related activities my levels were almost up to the point of being a minor concern a couple years ago.

Paid more attention to washing my hands and not having food or drink around while doing these things and its back to background levels. Not a huge issue but one to have in the back of your mind.
 
Again, my understanding is that lead levels never return to anything. It's a cumulative poison.
 
4n2t0 said:
I hope not because lead is an element, it never decomposes into another substance that might be more easily tolerated, and it never leaves your body. Damage from consistent lead exposure is cumulative and usually irreversible.

So how did you lower those "massive" amounts?
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i hear lead leaves the body at a very slow rate, and certain foods can speed the process up.


or.....

chicken wings! lots and lots of chicken wings! greater body mass = lower lead ratio's right?
 
I must be lucky then, because not only do I shoot lots of cast lead- I also cast my own and also clean the indoor range once a week.
I have my levels checked once a year just for grins, never an issue- just the basics don't touch your face, rub your eyes, eat/drink until you're clean. Remember your clothes can hold it too!
 
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The guy that put on my RPAL course many moons ago actually died from complications to lead exposure ( he shot indoors ALLOT ). I believe he was in his 70's, was a cop and had been involved with firearms since Moses was in soft shoes. It's a concern, but...meh. I would be more concerned for small kids inhaling/ingesting lead as it's been linked to stunting brain development.........what was I talking about?:p
 
1.98 umol/L was my reading in 12th of October 2007. This generated a Health Canada/Poison Control consult. After much chest puffing by them they finally agreed to not investigate my work for the lead. It took a lot of convincing that the lead was due to my hobby. Air tested at our indoor range during shooting events showed very high levels of lead just hanging around for hours after the shooting was done. So work was started to exceed federal standards on air quality and exchange, which we achieved in 2010 with the upgrade to our indoor range.
I also changed the way I handle my reloading, I wear gloves when handling brass, clean or not, I separate my media in the RCBS enclosed media separator and vent the dust outside and I wear a lead rated respirator. I wash my hands before I do anything, after shooting, reloading and cleaning guns. I also wear gloves (surgical gloves for all instances) when cleaning or working on my guns.
The last result I have on hand is from the 24th of August 2010 and I am down to 1.25. Lead will leave the body over time, in women in can be quite an issue as it does goes into the bones and when osteoporosis kicks in it can release lead quickly, actually resulting in acute lead poisoning.
I undertook a battery of tests after my first result, according to the Dr.'s lead exposure and poisoning differs in people significantly. My results typically should have caused all sorts of health issues, they could find none.
For anyone local who wishes to see my results I can bring them to class this week if you want to look at them.
 
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