Calling all Scientists-LEAD POISONING!!!

[XDJYo]

Got a call last week from the doctor, lead levels were 'negative'. Not sure what that means. But it's better than a call from the State. I asked for a copy to be mailed to me. Will update later.

I didn't expect the numbers to be high as I haven't been shooting much, but I have been spending more time in the reloading room. So this is encouraging.

Just got the test results in the mail today. The level was at 2.0 ug/dL.

So, happy with the results. My prior level was taken in 9/2013 and I was at 3.6. Prior to that was 3/2013 and I was at 10.6(!). That wasn't a 'You're gonna died' level, but enough to warrant a call from the State to my doctor. (I requested my Doctor to tell them to piss off for those of you keeping track at home).

Since someone brought up the possibility of the environment causing higher lead leves, which is very possible in many cases. However, in my case, the last 2 houses I lived in were new construction and the probability of lead from paint is practically nil. Same with my workplace. Newer office spaces.

At this point, I'm chalking up my lead exposure to the reloading process and the shooting. I don't see making any other changes to my habits to minimize my exposure. I already use gloves while reloading and while cleaning my guns. Not to mention I get it periodically checked.

Happy shooting and be safe!

[bubbapug1]

It's almost impossible to get lead poisoning from shooting TMJ bullets.

Your kids doctor is correct, you won't transmit any lead to your kid unless u feed him lead bullets or pour bullets and have him breath in the fumes.

I load about 10,000 rounds a year, sort more brass than that in a closed in garage, shoot indoors most of the time, and my blood tests come back with very very low levels of lead, lower than the general population.

Most lead in kids is from ingesting paint and it used to be from exhaust fumes when lead was an additive....but today, its very very rare

[Cokebottle]

I asked my doc for a lead screening... since I'm getting regular blood tests for my BP meds.

She won't authorize it. Claims that lead tests are only needed on children growing up in older homes.

[joepamjohn]

I have a baby too, and take precautions like you to avoid him contacting lead. I also reload with lead bullets, which leaves a lot of exposure for me. I make sure to wear gloves and wash my hands with D-lead soap, and change clothes. To be sure that it's working, I got him tested at his 18 month appointment, and he didn't have any measurable lead levels. Seems to be ok and I'm not worried about it anymore. Just get your kid tested.

So go to the doctor, tell them you are into guns, shooting and load possibly toxic ammo. Doctor calls CPS and says " kid is in an unsafe environment". Now you will have something legitimate to worry about.
,

[therealnickb]

I'm new to this forum, but figure there must be some pretty savvy and experienced individuals here. Does anyone here have expertise in the toxicology of lead? I'm a new shooter and have a young son (10 month old). I sometimes worry about exposing my little guy to "take home lead" and it negatively impacting his health. I asked my kid's pediatrician about this and she seemed surprised that I was concerned. She said that of course I would be exposed to lead at the range, but that my body could probably handle a little lead. I told her that I shoot once per month and that I change my clothes as soon as I get home, have a separate pair of "range shoes" that I leave outside and that I shower and change my clothes as soon as I get home. I also use TMJ ammo (sometimes with lead free primers, when I can find it). She said that I'm taking good precautions but that even without them I'd probably not be able to bring home enough lead to harm my child. I don't know if she is saying this because I shoot only at outdoor ranges or if she doesn't know what she's talking about. She went on to say that of her thousands of patients she can't think of one that tested high for lead, that it is extremely rare these days???? Can she possibly be right? I have read so many horror stories and articles out there that attest to the opposite. I'm skeptical and confused, just don't want to harm my kid. Don't even get me started on the though of cleaning my guns inside of my little apartment with no backyard or garage. I have no idea where I will clean them without risking exposing my kid to lead.

Just don't eat any condors and you'll be fine.

[XDJYo]

I asked my doc for a lead screening... since I'm getting regular blood tests for my BP meds.

She won't authorize it. Claims that lead tests are only needed on children growing up in older homes.

Who says doctors aren't ignorant?

[Milsurp Collector]

I asked my doc for a lead screening... since I'm getting regular blood tests for my BP meds.

She won't authorize it. Claims that lead tests are only needed on children growing up in older homes.

Print out these articles and hand them to her, and request again to have your blood tested:

https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2584/

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6316a3.htm

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/olppp/Documents/adult_testing.pdf

http://www.dph.illinois.gov/sites/default/files/publications/lead-safety-shooters-041516.pdf

[Win231]

Anyone who thinks lead is not toxic should sprinkle a spoonful of lead dust on your frosted flakes every morning.

No? Yeah. See?

FrankMo

The lead dust is healthier than the frosted flakes.

[Win231]

Ballistol works great, but that stench gave me smelly boogers for months. And my trunk stank for weeks just from transporting a pistol cleaned with it.

Nothing worse than smelly boogers. Makes your finger smelly, too.

[Wordupmybrotha]

Nothing worse than smelly boogers. Makes your finger smelly, too.

I wouldn't know about the smelly fingers.

[rkt88edmo]

Thank you, but I'm more concerned about bringing lead home from the range and contaminating my apartment by cleaning guns. Its my kid I'm worried about. From what I understand, they have a much lower threshold for lead. Adults excrete the majority of it, but kids store it in their bones and organs, it can mess them up. Just unsure how much lead we actually bring home from an outdoor range and if cleaning guns produces enough lead residue to be a threat to little ones.

Lead residue from cleaning - do it outdoors or at a friends, or just lay down a lot of newspaper to cover all immediate surfaces.

Or do it in the tub and spray/wash it all down when done.

There are plenty of options for you.

The hardest part is just keeping it of the floor, because they will transmit what is on the ground into their mouths.

Some of the cleaning wipes marketed to shooters (for their hands not guns) are just handi wipes with citric acid added. Citrix acid is a chelating agent (binds to lead). so you can make your own clean up wipes with baby wipes and add citrix acid to your DIY formula if you want.

I don't think you are wrong to be concerned. I also agree with your doc that the risk is low.

Even if they don't reach a caution/dangerous/poisoning level, there is zero reason in my mind to not take precautions to reduce any lead exposure to children, especially those who are crawling, when you have the ready means to do so.

[d33pt]

So go to the doctor, tell them you are into guns, shooting and load possibly toxic ammo. Doctor calls CPS and says " kid is in an unsafe environment". Now you will have something legitimate to worry about.
,

I just tell them I live in an old house with possible lead paint.

[vgman94]

LOL nice first post Troll. I guess this is one avenue the retarded left has come up with to vent their frustration with the epic election loss they suffered.

Why don't mods ever come around when one of these posts happen? Attacking a new-ish member for being worried about safety is not okay. And this topic has nothing to do with the election.

[Plain Old Dave]

I have a Third Way.

People have been casting boolits for DECADES with no ill effects. Elmer Keith died of old age, for example, and regularly wrote in his various books and columns that there was little if any need for jacketed pistol bullets or even gas checks. Probably shot (and cast) MILLIONS of lead boolits.

Follow the money; back in the 70s you'd see "I'm a duck hunter, but handguns should be registered" or "...there's no need for these dangerous Saturday Night Specials." Then, in the 80s it became "I hunt, but nobody that's not in the military or (sic) Law Enforcement has any need for an 'assault weapon.'" And gun control has morphed into "gun safety."

Almost every one of these fake news surveys about firearms use and lead poisoning is funded by Gorge Soros, Moveon, and the hoplophobes. Part of their current conspiracy to paint firearms use as a "public health crisis."

And organized medicine is by and large a bunch of shysters anyhow.

[Wordupmybrotha]

Why don't mods ever come around when one of these posts happen? Attacking a new-ish member for being worried about safety is not okay. And this topic has nothing to do with the election.

You can report the post by clicking on the red triangle next to the post#.