Lead Exposure(?)

bluemike807

bluemike807

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I've recently gotten into purifying and casting lead; starting with wheel weights, then ingots, then actually casting slugs/bullets/shot.

What should my considerations be for 'exposure' to lead?

Safety-wise, while anywhere near molten lead I'm wearing welding gloves, safety glasses and a thick leather apron. I also use only small amounts (maybe 2-3 cups) at a time. But are fumes a consideration?

I know when initially melting down the weights, there is alot of smoke and vapour; most of which I avoid, and the space Im working in is very well ventilated.

When Im done Im careful to wash exposed skin thoroughly, and I never eat anywhere near where I work, or afterward until I am cleaned, but I can't help but wonder. Would appreciate any knowledgeable input.
 
You pretty well have the right idea. Don't hang your head over the pot and you should strip and shower when done. Residue on clothing could transfer to household furniture. I have heard some fellows say not to cast in rainy-damp weather. I don't know if this because of the air being heavier or what but thats my time to do it because the outside stuff has to wait.
 
bluemike807 said:
I've recently gotten into purifying and casting lead; starting with wheel weights, then ingots, then actually casting slugs/bullets/shot.

What should my considerations be for 'exposure' to lead?

Safety-wise, while anywhere near molten lead I'm wearing welding gloves, safety glasses and a thick leather apron. I also use only small amounts (maybe 2-3 cups) at a time. But are fumes a consideration?

I know when initially melting down the weights, there is alot of smoke and vapour; most of which I avoid, and the space Im working in is very well ventilated.

When Im done Im careful to wash exposed skin thoroughly, and I never eat anywhere near where I work, or afterward until I am cleaned, but I can't help but wonder. Would appreciate any knowledgeable input.
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"No safe threshold for lead exposure has been discovered—that is, there is no known amount of lead that is too small to cause the body harm."

Knowing that being lead free is healthiest, put lead intake into perspective.
Did you know that virtually all water systems in every urban centre was built using lead pipe as the conduit of a fresh, clean, healthy source of H2O? They are being replaced with nice safe copper tubing.
Previous generations used lead extensively and made gaskets, bushings, and bullets, and much more.
So yes be careful with lead. I know one retired officer who has lead poisoning problems from shooting lead based bullets and is getting treatment. He now wears latex gloves when shooting.
If you are careful, old age will probably get you before lead poisoning does.;):)
 
SaddleTramp said:
You pretty well have the right idea. Don't hang your head over the pot and you should strip and shower when done. Residue on clothing could transfer to household furniture. I have heard some fellows say not to cast in rainy-damp weather. I don't know if this because of the air being heavier or what but thats my time to do it because the outside stuff has to wait.
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lol I guess you've never been splattered with molten lead when rain drops into your pot half way through a session.
Water and molten lead don't mix well!!:)
 
If you keep your temperature down to a reasonable level, you will get no lead vapors. Lead does not vaporize anywhere near its melting point. Sometimes when folks are melting down bulk scrap, they get too agressive and turn the heat up about 100 degrees C beyond what they need, and then the lead will vaporize. Of course, arsenic, which is a fellow traveller with most lead, vaporizes at a much lower temperature, and you don't want to breath too much arsenic either!

Shooters get lead poisoning from the vapor created when burning gunpowder attacks the base of the bullet before it can escape the bore. And, lead dust is created as the bullet scrapes its way down the steel bore. While heavy, this dust can be kept afloat by turbulent air flows, such as that generted by too enthusiastic ventilation systems. Sweeping up ranges is a good way to stir this dust up for another try at inhaling it. (Canadian military indoor ranges used to sweep up after every shoot, with no hygiene precautions. Don't know of many who had lead problems though. Few us of got enough opportunities to shoot HMQ's ammo to get serious lead exposure!)

Those who manifest lead poisoning from shooting are those fortunate enough to shoot several hours each day, for a living. The rest of us, we got more serious threats to our wellbeing. Like, life.
 
Lead vapors are not released until the molten lead boils. Much like steam is released when water is boiled. If you keep your melting pot thermostat set just above the melting point, very minimal if any lead fumes are released.
Melt lead in open outdoor areas only.

The lead that is inhaled from target ranges comes mostly from the lead styphnate in primer compounds. Better to shoot in outdoor ranges or indoor ranges with properly designed and built ventilation systems.

Lead is not cyanide or kurare. I do not understand this inordinate fear of lead in bullet heads.
Of course, plated bullet manufacturers capitalize on this hsyteria to sell their "lead safe" bullets.
 
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pilon said:
lol I guess you've never been splattered with molten lead when rain drops into your pot half way through a session.
Water and molten lead don't mix well!!:)
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I wasn't talking about casting outside in a rainstorm. I think anyone with a standard Canadian education can figure that one out. I was talking about casting on a damp-rainy day. Most casters do it in a shed or garage. Some other fellow casters have concerns that the lead vapour doesn't dissapate as well on a damp day thus giving more exposure to lead vapour. Whether this is real or imagined is unkown.We have never had a true scientist enter his opinion. After 40+ plus years of casting lead I have had my share of splatters and burns. Safty equipment is always a priority.
 
pilon said:
lol I guess you've never been splattered with molten lead when rain drops into your pot half way through a session.
Water and molten lead don't mix well!!:)
Click to expand...

Wise advise ! I had my first visit from the tinsel fairy on Canada day after 10 yearsof casting , due to neglect ( adding damp/not wet lead to a pot of molten material ) . It happened so fast you cannot even beleive it . So any cautions about smelting in the rain and protective gear MUST BE OBSERVED!!! As for your concerns with lead exposure , use common sense an wash hands before eating / smoking etc. and change out of contaminated clothing . Pure molten lead doesn't gas off at the temps you are dealing with . The majority of lead injestion is by inhalation (lead primers ) and absorbtion ( lead oxide ) the white powdery stuff that forms on weathered ingots/ W/W . Enjoy and above all else be safe !!
 
Seeing as I already had the respirator, I use that when melting pretty much any metal with the exception of bismuth.

I used to hobby cast and alloy, so I was adding antimony, which has quite the vapour pressure to it.
 
SaddleTramp said:
I wasn't talking about casting outside in a rainstorm. I think anyone with a standard Canadian education can figure that one out. I was talking about casting on a damp-rainy day. Most casters do it in a shed or garage. Some other fellow casters have concerns that the lead vapour doesn't dissapate as well on a damp day thus giving more exposure to lead vapour. Whether this is real or imagined is unkown.We have never had a true scientist enter his opinion. After 40+ plus years of casting lead I have had my share of splatters and burns. Safty equipment is always a priority.
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Hey no problem. I always cast outdoors and quite a few years back when I was younger a rain shower sprang up. I called my two kids outside to hold an umbrella over me while a finished up a pot.:redface: Duhh
I was being facetious. ;)
 
blaser.306 said:
Wise advise ! I had my first visit from the tinsel fairy on Canada day after 10 yearsof casting , due to neglect ( adding damp/not wet lead to a pot of molten material ) . It happened so fast you cannot even beleive it . So any cautions about smelting in the rain and protective gear MUST BE OBSERVED!!! As for your concerns with lead exposure , use common sense an wash hands before eating / smoking etc. and change out of contaminated clothing . Pure molten lead doesn't gas off at the temps you are dealing with . The majority of lead injestion is by inhalation (lead primers ) and absorbtion ( lead oxide ) the white powdery stuff that forms on weathered ingots/ W/W . Enjoy and above all else be safe !!
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agreed.
Haha Tinsel Fairy : I like that.:)
 
my brother used to work in a rope factory in halifax, the rope had lead " threads " in them. he and a bunch of other guys who worked there all got pretty sick. it wasent till he left that job due to his health that the doctors figured it was all the lead they were handling during work there.
 
I think the cheap latex disposable gloves would be a good thing when handling lead. It certanly couldn't hurt if you were loading up a batch of ammo. I also think we would be surprised to find out how much lead is in our bodies. Pollution,lead paint, industrial chemicals, the list is endless. I don't worry too much about casting lead. I think I already have enough in my body to fill a casting pot.
 
fumes off of molten lead are only a consideration when the lead is much to hot for bullet casting.

Ingestion , not inhalation is your biggest worry. wash your hands , and dont eat or drink when casting.
 
I've been casting for a few years now. After my first year, I went to the doc and had him test me. I had 0.4mg/dL in my blood. The U.S. national average is 2.5mg/dL. The point at which you're supposed to get some effects from it is 10mg/dL.....but the medical community is debating dropping that number to 5mg/dL.

So, after a year of casting on a very regular basis, my lead level is still less than 20% of the averge guy walking down the street in the U.S. Use good ventilation. Don't eat or smoke before you wash you hands really well, and you'll be fine.
 
Get yourself a half mask respirator with P100 cartridges. If you're concerned about impurities in your lead get a combo/P100 cartridge. Don't get the home depot/buck store cheapy useless respirators. Go to a place like Acklands and get a North, Survivair, MSA, etc...

The $35-$45 you spend is going to be one of the cheapest things you ever buy for your gun hobby and it's really good insurance against having lead issues in the future.Combine that with good hygiene practices and you're golden.
 
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