Lead Health Issues

Several weeks ago I was involved in a conversation about lead exposure on shooting ranges. It lead me (pardon) to learn more about lead.

Here are some of the reports I found:

http://www.odcmp.com/comm/publications/PDFs/LeadMgtGuide.pdf

http://www.epa.gov/region2/waste/leadshot/epa_bmp.pdf

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ranges/

http://maine.gov/dep/rwm/lead/pdf/dustremovalmaunal.pdf


I decided that my own actions were not at all smart when it comes to preventing trouble with my own health. Here is what I am now doing:

-I got tested for lead. This will be a baseline for me. I plan to be tested regularly to head off a problem down the road.

-I now have a set of shoes I use only for shooting. Those will go in a bag before I get in my car after being at the range. I also remove my socks, and the shirt I wore while shooting. Clothes worn during shooting do not go into the family laundry - they do not even go into the house until ready to wash.

-I will be much better about hand washing during and after shooting. In short, I have been really bad about this. Showering right when I get home after shooting is also a part of the plan.

-I'm using a towel as a shooting mat. Easy to wash and it will act as a barrier to the lead that must already be on the benches.

To my blood test...

Lead in the blood is measured in micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL).

-At levels above 80 µg/dL, serious, permanent health damage may occur.

-Between 40 and 80 µg/dL, serious health damage may be occurring, even if there are no symptoms.

-Between 25 and 40 µg/dL, regular exposure is occurring. There is some evidence of potential problems.

-Between 10 and 25 µg/dL, lead is building up in the body and some exposure is occurring.

The typical level for US adults is less than 10 µg/dL (the mean level is 3 µg/dL).

My blood test came back today - 12 µg/dL.

So, my levels are higher than average and higher than my doctor wants, but not time for panic.  That lead is what has accumulated in my body in my 52 years - eating paint chips as a kid, renovating 3 houses, chewing on pencils...  Some of that is since I started shooting this past April. Who knows how much.  It really is not important.

I have admitted that I have been stupid about this.  I did not wash my hands often after shooting.  It never occurred to me to change my clothes or take any real precautions.  I frequently ate at the range, had water bottles open on the bench while shooting...

The good news is that I am much more aware now.

I'm not telling anyone what to do.  I am not asking for any changes to be made at any the ranges I shoot at.

The test results do not scare me and will not change my interest in shooting more and better.  They do reinforce that I need to be more careful.  I will take a test again in 4 months -  that is if I remember to - given my addled mind due to lead toxicity. (wink)

Scott

Nice post and something we should all be thinking about. If not for you, for your children, grandchildren and pets!

Thanks Scott!

I used to shoot in an indoor range that has since been redone with a state of the art ventilation system. Prior to my stopping at the "old" configuration of the range I got test results of 17 to 20 on my lead tests.

A year after stopping indoor shooting my lead level was undetectable, even tho I was still shooting weekly outdoors.

That indoor range is now a safe place to shoot and I don't fear shooting there.