in my early days of shooting my primary range was an indoor range. Then I started shooting more outdoors and I handle a lot of cast lead due to my cowboy action shooting, shooting lots of .22 and also starting to cast round ball for my black powder shooting. Along the way at one of my regular physicals I asked for a blood lead test. After explaining what and how much the doc agreed. And as with such things no news is good news. Did the test and didn't hear more until the next visit. It was a non issue. I was barely above the regular amount for the general public and WAY under any level for concern.
All I've done is to avoid licking my fingers or picking my nose until my hands are washed.
Recently I started loading some black powder shot shells for the cowboy action. Some of the lead shot I've got is older and "white" due to the corrosion. That I did not use because when I tried pouring it out I immediately noticed a cloud of white dust from the corrosion. I cleaned it out and cleaned the area well and limited myself to the lead shot which is dark and shiny.
So a modicum of common sense and care to wash is all that is needed. This applies to handling any lead or even spent casings. As mentioned the residue from the primers is not good for us. And any handling of the spent casings will result in those things on their hands. And I do know how the kids love to play with the spent brass. It's a constant thing and I always tell the parents to clean or seal the brass they take home along with stressing that they do not allow the kids to take the brass to school with them to show the others.
All I've done is to avoid licking my fingers or picking my nose until my hands are washed.
Recently I started loading some black powder shot shells for the cowboy action. Some of the lead shot I've got is older and "white" due to the corrosion. That I did not use because when I tried pouring it out I immediately noticed a cloud of white dust from the corrosion. I cleaned it out and cleaned the area well and limited myself to the lead shot which is dark and shiny.
So a modicum of common sense and care to wash is all that is needed. This applies to handling any lead or even spent casings. As mentioned the residue from the primers is not good for us. And any handling of the spent casings will result in those things on their hands. And I do know how the kids love to play with the spent brass. It's a constant thing and I always tell the parents to clean or seal the brass they take home along with stressing that they do not allow the kids to take the brass to school with them to show the others.