Calling all Scientists-LEAD POISONING!!!

[Hinnerk]

FWIW, Ballistol is great for what it does but maybe suboptimal for copper fouling. There is no universal cleaning solvent. All my shooting these days is rifle only.

[lawj11]

I was shooting A LOT of leaded 22 LR out of my Ruger 22/45 at an indoor range (Reeds in Santa Clara). Even though their ventilation system sounds like a freaking jumbo jet, it seemed to pull the smoke back at the shooter. At the time, I was foolish and didn't use any gloves when I cleaned my guns.

One thing we did do was to shower as soon as we got home and we washed our range clothes separately from the rest of our clothes so we wouldn't cross contaminate it with other clothes.

I also switched to an outdoor range. This was after Sandy Hook and ammo was REALLY scarce. So, shooting 45 ACP was almost $60/100. So, I was shooting a lot of 22 to make up the difference. (Had to shoot at least twice to make up for one 45 ACP! LOL!!!).

Anyways, my lead levels have gone down tremendously since then. My shooting has been curtailed a lot since those days too (family, work and other responsibilities), so I don't really worry too much about it now. But, once I start shooting more again, I'll get back to getting those tests done.

Lots of little bangs add up to a big bang, I get it, LOL. Daaannng 60 cents per round for 45 ACP!

This is what I mean. My kid's doc acted like I was nuts for being concerned, but here is an example of someone impacted by lead exposure from shooting. Docs don't know it all...there's a chance this doc has never even been to a range and doesn't understand there are several others standing within close proximity also shooting hundreds of rounds. Thank you for sharing your story.

[lawj11]

You live in the Sacramento Area? My condolences. At least you're close to Tahoe, I guess...

[ChuckDizzle]

My wife, an actual scientist, said that your precautions seem reasonable and effective. Get tested for lead regularly, if you don't have high lead levels then it is highly unlikely your child would have higher levels than you would as the primary exposed subject.

[CGZ]

People make their own projectiles from literally melting lead down and forming the bullets then reloading them (I've seen some videos of people even doing it indoors). If they don't get lead poising I think you should be fine. Just wash your hands after you're done shooting. You can pick up a reloading book on casting and it will have a section on this issue.

The Lyman manual only addresses injecting lead by 'eating' it by contacting food, smoking or putting your fingers in your mouth without washing your hands after handling lead. It goes on to say that "lead dust danger is most likely the rarest method by which a bullet caster might ingest lead into the body". and that it happens when you cut a lead ingot into pieces, more so with a power tool vs a chisel. Finally it says to have proper ventilation when casting lead. "During the 40 plus years I've personally cast hundreds of thousands of lead alloy projectiles, I've experienced a few health problems. None of them were caused by my exposure to lead alloys as part of my handloading hobby" - Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4th Edition.

[lawj11]

My wife, an actual scientist, said that your precautions seem reasonable and effective. Get tested for lead regularly, if you don't have high lead levels then it is highly unlikely your child would have higher levels than you would as the primary exposed subject.

I hadn't thought of that, but that makes a whole lot of sense. Guess that's why she's the scientist and I'm, well, not... . Tell your wife, thank you!

[XDJYo]

Lots of little bangs add up to a big bang, I get it, LOL. Daaannng 60 cents per round for 45 ACP!

This is what I mean. My kid's doc acted like I was nuts for being concerned, but here is an example of someone impacted by lead exposure from shooting. Docs don't know it all...there's a chance this doc has never even been to a range and doesn't understand there are several others standing within close proximity also shooting hundreds of rounds. Thank you for sharing your story.

Any time and welcome to the CG community!

Yes, it was getting quite expensive to even think about buying ammo back then. That's when I decided that as soon as I was able, that I would buy a reloading machine and start reloading my own. Now, I'm at about $0.18/round vs $0.60/round. Of course, it's come down quite a bit to roughly $0.34/round and up to $0.40/round at the high end.

And some doctors just don't have any real first-hand experience with shooters so, they don't know what can and cannot cause lead contamination and how it can affect you or others in the family. That is another reason why I noted that some of the experiences/comments are purely anecdotal.

On the flip side, you might be able to shoot 10 times as much as me and not have ANY effects whatsoever since we are all built differently and it can impact us differently as well. Lead poisoning can not only lead to nervous system problems/mental issues, but also cause problems with our internal organs, the kidney (corrected from Liver to Kidney). Or, your kid or wife can be overly sensitive to it too.

Sorry, don't mean to get overly wordy, but I just want to be able to share my own personal experiences and conclusions.

[lawj11]

People make their own projectiles from literally melting lead down and forming the bullets then reloading them (I've seen some videos of people even doing it indoors). If they don't get lead poising I think you should be fine. Just wash your hands after you're done shooting. You can pick up a reloading book on casting and it should have a section on this issue.

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.

[lawj11]

You guys think I'd get arrested for cleaning my guns at the local park. LOL, j/k. I know that's a bad idea.

[XDJYo]

You guys think I'd get arrested for cleaning my guns at the local park. LOL, j/k. I know that's a bad idea.

Nah, but just don't do it while working security at a San Diego Chargers game! LOL! (But, I don't think that's what you meant?).

[CGZ]

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.

Unless you're shooting lead projectiles it should be negligible. Look at some images at jacketed projectiles, you will see very little to any lead actually exposed. Most of the residue left in the firearm is copper fouling and carbon.

[CALI-gula]

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.

This has been discussed here in plenty of aspects on Calguns in the past. The differences between soluble lead, lead in chemicals and exposure through the skin by touch, and the negligible amount of solid lead particulate from the range which in measure is so minute, it's rare that with the precautions you are taking there is little to no transfer at all. Nothing to worry about.

The amount you are picking up from shooting, even at an indoor range is minute.

Drive down any one of California's highways with the windows open or on a motorcycle? You are probably exposing your kid to more asbestos and silica from truck and automotive brake dust, and from construction sites as you pass them in proximity, a poisoning on a regular basis that is susceptible to causing more serious issues to you and your kids, than the lifetime of hardly measurable and minimal amount of lead picked up coming home from the range for the few times you go a month.


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[CALI-gula]

Unless you're shooting lead projectiles it should be negligible. Look at some images at jacketed projectiles, you will see very little to any lead actually exposed. Most of the residue left in the firearm is copper fouling and carbon.

Exactly.


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[GUNNTZ]

My suggestion is to not get to worked up over it and yes I have a young son. Think basic: wash your hands, change cloths that would absorb lead easily, lay down old towels to act as a barrier when cleaning, have good ventilation when cleaning, wipe down your guns and then heavy wet patch and/or spray down areas that need cleaning as this will suspend the lead, powder, copper. The simple stuff will always take care of the difficult if you look for a path. On a side note, I'd be more concerned with storage as that poses a greater hazard and the laws here for improper storage a stiff when it comes to children.

[Quickdraw559]

Boy, you sure triggered 'em didn't you? I really don't understand the troll accusations. Like an anti would make an account to post about how he's worried about lead poisoning. Wtf?

Your concerns are legitimate IMO. You would think anyone with half a brain would wonder the same thing, especially when involving kids. If you don't know, you don't know. Taking the word of some doctor is just plain stupid these days. Half of them were educated in a third world country, more as a vacation than education. They don't know what the hell they're talking about half the time, usually using a computer and plugging in your symptoms to a program.

Like I said, legitimate concern, but nothing to worry about. Take your clothes off in the laundry room and toss them directly in the washer, take a shower, you'll be fine. If you're shooting outdoors, even better. You could probably just wash your hands and change your clothes, but why risk it with your kids? You would feel like a real piece of **** if they ever did test higher than normal.

Slightly off topic, but didn't someone post here a year or two ago talking about how he can't believe he's testing high? Pretty sure that was here...