Is shooting lead .22 ammo potentially poisonous? For kids??

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northerndad

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Hey folks,

So my boys and I like to go plink. My wife asked a good question after some googling - how dangerous is the handling and shooting of lead ammo to kids? I did a quick google and it seems to boil down to a small amount of lead being boiled or vaporized when the round is fired, and then breathed in by the shooter. Lead is more dangerous to kids than adults. There's also just getting lead on your fingers, or dust from the shooting being breathed in.

It so happens that most of the ammo we shoot is copper jacket; HOWEVER, I just picked up a bunch of .22 ammo (about 2500 rounds) that is all lead. Should I sell the lead stuff? Just go with copper jacket from now on? Or is .22 ammo too small to worry about anyway.
 
You are more likely to have issue from the primers than you are the bullet. Have them wear some vinyl gloves or buy the lead removing solvent if you are concearned with the bullets (or load the rounds for them)
 
Perfectly valid concern, but there are so many variables it's difficult to answer.

Loading and shooting all 2,500 rounds in quick succession in an unventilated, range with other shooters and licking each round for good luck would be one extreme.
Using gloves when loading, shooting outside, changing clothes and shoes after shooting, washing hands every 25 minutes, and shooting off 1 round every hour, might be another extreme.

https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/eRepository/LeadAmongShooters_2014.pdf

Doesn't hurt to be careful. I would certainly be meticulous about hand washing, breaks, and changing clothes, if my kids were into shooting.
 
Just wash your hands after handling the ammo/shooting. The amount of lead exposure is very low unless you're doing really dumb things lick licking the steel after its shoot or licking the grey off your fingers after loading.
 
Shot nothing but lead bullets from the time I was 5 until today. No lead related health issues. I even hunt and eat big game killed with lead projectiles *gasp!*

This whole nonsense about handling lead projectiles leading to severe lead poisoning and reproductive harm is BS, unless like stated, you're licking your fingers/the gun after every magazine is filled/emptied (or breathing in the fumes from your smelting pot constantly).

Use the lead ammo, make your kids wash their hands when you get home, and enjoy shooting.
 
I was surprised to learn what the actual levels of concern are. Lead is toxic. I asked my Dr. for a lead level test, and was surprised at my levels. It was pretty obvious that my usual precautions were not enough.

I'd think that if you are a gun nut, get tested.

I'm going to ask for regular tests, and adjust my activities and procedures until I see a reduction in my levels.
 
If you load for them they shouldn't get much exposure on their hands, if they do they should be aware and try and wash their hands before eating or picking their noses....
Some nitrile loading gloves would keep the hands clean for sure and the wipes idea makes sense.

When we were kids lead was "the chewy metal" and we crimped on fishing weights with our teeth.... being conscious and aware and limiting exposure is not a bad idea.
 
Sniper_485 said:
Just wash your hands after handling the ammo/shooting. The amount of lead exposure is very low unless you're doing really dumb things lick licking the steel after its shoot or licking the grey off your fingers after loading.
Click to expand...

To add to this avoid eating/drinking anything and make sure they aren't picking their nose until after you are clean.
 
Lol all true. Been in my mouth lots.

Can-down said:
If you load for them they shouldn't get much exposure on their hands, if they do they should be aware and try and wash their hands before eating or picking their noses....
Some nitrile loading gloves would keep the hands clean for sure and the wipes idea makes sense.

When we were kids lead was "the chewy metal" and we crimped on fishing weights with our teeth.... being conscious and aware and limiting exposure is not a bad idea.
Click to expand...
 
I exclusively shoot lead .22lr and a fair bit of it at times and my lead levels have been fine. I read somewhere that there is more concern with indoor ranges than outdoor. Not positive on that though. If your real concerned wear gloves or keep their hand washed and maybe a dust mask.
 
I've also been curious, I've shot tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of rounds of lead .22lr over 30ish years and so far as I know I've not suffered any health problems because of it.

I am very aware of the risks and teach my kids the risks too. I think the big thing is not getting it in your body through your mouth.

I also cast lead for bullets and even that isn't too risky if done in a well ventilated area.

I'd be more concerned if shooting in an indoor range, outside if they don't get it in their mouth they should be fine.
 
Thanks everyone. So not a dumb question! Haven't decided yet about these 2500 lead rounds I got on sale. We usually shoot federal coppers, or CCI mini mag, Winchester coppers, or even some golden bullets... but this winchester and federal lead ammo came on super sale (all lead) and I couldn't resist!

Interesting about the primers potentially being toxic too. It does get pretty smokey when we're doing a lot of plinking. Much to consider.

We do shoot outdoors. Will get kids to wash hands/ change clothes and not pick their noses from now on :)
 
northerndad said:
Thanks everyone. So not a dumb question! Haven't decided yet about these 2500 lead rounds I got on sale. We usually shoot federal coppers, or CCI mini mag, Winchester coppers, or even some golden bullets... but this winchester and federal lead ammo came on super sale (all lead) and I couldn't resist!

Interesting about the primers potentially being toxic too. It does get pretty smokey when we're doing a lot of plinking. Much to consider.

We do shoot outdoors. Will get kids to wash hands/ change clothes and not pick their noses from now on :)
Click to expand...
again, it is the primers to worry about, not the bullets
 
My only concern would be an un-ventilated indoor range where there is a build up lead 'splatter' in the air from bullets hitting backstop. A good range sucks all that out with the fresh intake at the shooting end... or if your kid tended to chew on the lead...
 
northerndad said:
Hey folks,

So my boys and I like to go plink. My wife asked a good question after some googling - how dangerous is the handling and shooting of lead ammo to kids? I did a quick google and it seems to boil down to a small amount of lead being boiled or vaporized when the round is fired, and then breathed in by the shooter. Lead is more dangerous to kids than adults. There's also just getting lead on your fingers, or dust from the shooting being breathed in.

It so happens that most of the ammo we shoot is copper jacket; HOWEVER, I just picked up a bunch of .22 ammo (about 2500 rounds) that is all lead. Should I sell the lead stuff? Just go with copper jacket from now on? Or is .22 ammo too small to worry about anyway.
Click to expand...

Use this after shooting. I've been using it for some time right after shooting and even in between shot strings on my palms and exposed parts (e.g. face). Later I wash thoroughly my hands.

qxAvB5U.jpg
 
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