Calling all Scientists-LEAD POISONING!!!

[calif 15-22]

The NRA includes lead contamination as a discussion point within its training. This answer is about as spot on that discussion as I would have posted without getting into the weeds. When my kids were born, I did the same thing, made sure that I wasn't negatively impacting them with ANY of my activities, including shooting and instructing shooters.

Kudos to you for asking and you have a lot of good information here.

^^^^ THIS ^^^^

First off OP Welcome to Calguns. We are a suspicious group by nature so please ignore the Troll comments. Some members here are so infected by lead poising that they forgot they were once new as well.

With a 10 month old those are valid concerns and it sounds like you have some really good advice given already. I have 3 grown boys and I make sure we wash our hands and face and toss the clothes in the wash after coming home from the range (indoor or outdoor). Is it an overkill? Of course but why not just do it.

Reed's in San Jose is the worst as while the ventilation is loud, I'm not sure how effective it is. I limit my time there to 45 minutes max!

[XDJYo]

Yes, Reeds is where I was shooting when my lead levels went really high.

[42x42]

OP,

As a materials scientist with over 30 years experience and who has worked with some of the nastiest materials in existence I can say that you are right to be concerned and to take precautions with lead exposure for you and your child.

As others have mentioned, lead is not a contact toxin in most cases but can be very dangerous when dust or vapor is ingested or inhaled.

Lead dust and vapor are produced by shooting, both from vaporized lead and dust from the projectile as well as from lead compounds used in primers. The potential for exposure is amplified by indoor ranges due to less fresh air available to dilute the lead concentration.

You will end up with at least some lead residue on your skin and clothes from a range session and precautions not to spread it where your son can be exposed are wise.

One of the training techniques for new folks in a lab is to apply a UV fluorescent compound on their gloves and have then go thorough their normal lab activities. Afterward, it is amazing to see what shows up with a UV light. Residue is frequently on keyboards, phones, doorknobs, their face and any other surface touched.

Anyway, regardless of some of the incorrect info being thrown around here along with insults, the potential of lead exposure should be taken seriously, especially when it involves young children.

As an aside, one of the reloading manuals (I forget which one) that I was reading a while back, mentions lead exposure and notes that the main risk area was from the dust mixed in with walnut hull tumbling media. Exposure happened when sifting the cases from the media probably leading to inhaled lead dust. This mention convinced me to go to liquid cleaning methods rather than dry tumbling for my brass.

[Lonestargrizzly]

Lol cgn scientists
Better luck hitting a drunk chick with a dart at Sunday school

OP,

As a materials scientist with over 30 years experience and who has worked with some of the nastiest materials in existence I can say that you are right to be concerned and to take precautions with lead exposure for you and your child.

As others have mentioned, lead is not a contact toxin in most cases but can be very dangerous when dust or vapor is ingested or inhaled.

Lead dust and vapor are produced by shooting, both from vaporized lead and dust from the projectile as well as from lead compounds used in primers. The potential for exposure is amplified by indoor ranges due to less fresh air available to dilute the lead concentration.

You will end up with at least some lead residue on your skin and clothes from a range session and precautions not to spread it where your son can be exposed are wise.

One of the training techniques for new folks in a lab is to apply a UV fluorescent compound on their gloves and have then go thorough their normal lab activities. Afterward, it is amazing to see what shows up with a UV light. Residue is frequently on keyboards, phones, doorknobs, their face and any other surface touched.

Anyway, regardless of some of the incorrect info being thrown around here along with insults, the potential of lead exposure should be taken seriously, especially when it involves young children.

As an aside, one of the reloading manuals (I forget which one) that I was reading a while back, mentions lead exposure and notes that the main risk area was from the dust mixed in with walnut hull tumbling media. Exposure happened when sifting the cases from the media probably leading to inhaled lead dust. This mention convinced me to go to liquid cleaning methods rather than dry tumbling for my brass.

Looks like I got one!

[lawj11]

OP,

As a materials scientist with over 30 years experience and who has worked with some of the nastiest materials in existence I can say that you are right to be concerned and to take precautions with lead exposure for you and your child.

As others have mentioned, lead is not a contact toxin in most cases but can be very dangerous when dust or vapor is ingested or inhaled.

Lead dust and vapor are produced by shooting, both from vaporized lead and dust from the projectile as well as from lead compounds used in primers. The potential for exposure is amplified by indoor ranges due to less fresh air available to dilute the lead concentration.

You will end up with at least some lead residue on your skin and clothes from a range session and precautions not to spread it where your son can be exposed are wise.

One of the training techniques for new folks in a lab is to apply a UV fluorescent compound on their gloves and have then go thorough their normal lab activities. Afterward, it is amazing to see what shows up with a UV light. Residue is frequently on keyboards, phones, doorknobs, their face and any other surface touched.

Anyway, regardless of some of the incorrect info being thrown around here along with insults, the potential of lead exposure should be taken seriously, especially when it involves young children.

As an aside, one of the reloading manuals (I forget which one) that I was reading a while back, mentions lead exposure and notes that the main risk area was from the dust mixed in with walnut hull tumbling media. Exposure happened when sifting the cases from the media probably leading to inhaled lead dust. This mention convinced me to go to liquid cleaning methods rather than dry tumbling for my brass.

Thank you, I appreciate your input.

[Mike350GT]

I'm a toxicologist and I am certified by the California Department of Public Health as a Lead Inspector/Assessor. Some of the responses in this thread made me laugh and some made me cringe. Good for you for taking the initiative and precautions to protect your son. You're already off to a great start by using good hygiene practices and using different shoes for the range. I will usually wash my hands, arms, and face at the indoor range before getting into the car and driving home (it helps minimize bringing it into the car). If possible, you may want to change out of your range clothes before entering your home, place them in plastic bag and then take them directly to your laundry area. Based on the frequency of your shooting and your hygiene practices, the risk of exposure due to range lead sounds low, but yes testing is the only way to be sure. The following link is to the California Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch which I thought maybe a resource for you.

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/CLPPB/Pages/default.aspx

[XDJYo]

I'm a toxicologist and I am certified by the California Department of Public Health as a Lead Inspector/Assessor. Some of the responses in this thread made me laugh and some made me cringe. Good for you for taking the initiative and precautions to protect your son. You're already off to a great start by using good hygiene practices and using different shoes for the range. I will usually wash my hands, arms, and face at the indoor range before getting into the car and driving home (it helps minimize bringing it into the car). If possible, you may want to change out of your range clothes before entering your home, place them in plastic bag and then take them directly to your laundry area. Based on the frequency of your shooting and your hygiene practices, the risk of exposure due to range lead sounds low, but yes testing is the only way to be sure. The following link is to the California Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch which I thought maybe a resource for you.
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/CLP...s/default.aspx

Thank you!!! Appreciate your input and the link.

All shooters should be concerned. Some of the effects from lead poisoning in children are irreversible.

[Jaysol33]

I'm a toxicologist and I am certified by the California Department of Public Health as a Lead Inspector/Assessor. Some of the responses in this thread made me laugh and some made me cringe. Good for you for taking the initiative and precautions to protect your son. You're already off to a great start by using good hygiene practices and using different shoes for the range. I will usually wash my hands, arms, and face at the indoor range before getting into the car and driving home (it helps minimize bringing it into the car). If possible, you may want to change out of your range clothes before entering your home, place them in plastic bag and then take them directly to your laundry area. Based on the frequency of your shooting and your hygiene practices, the risk of exposure due to range lead sounds low, but yes testing is the only way to be sure. The following link is to the California Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch which I thought maybe a resource for you.
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/CLP...s/default.aspx

This is a good post.

OP you're doing everything right to reduce the lead exposure for your son. As a licensed scientist, I do take precautions also. It's natural to be a little careful but not too careful that you become paranoid about the whole thing and you end up doing something that's much worse.

And like I said, you're doing the necessary precautions already. Now, if you live in an older apartment building and as your son gets older, then lead in the old paint on the walls becomes a concern too.

As a scientist, most of the lead poisoning testing we do is because of exposure to old paint being ingested by the toddlers.

[3006mv]

Get a blood test if you are that worried about it.

[xrMike]

The lead styphnate in the primers is responsible for more of the risk than the lead in the bullet.

[GraveTPO]

I've been shooting hard cast lead bullets for the past 25 years. I've been casting lead bullets for at least 15 years. I've smelted about a ton of lead wheel weights and another six or seven hundred pounds of linotype. I've been handling pure lead airgun pellets for 40 years and have been shooting firearms for at least that long. I exercise basic personal hygiene and respiratory precautions - by respiratory precautions, I mean standing upwind from a smelting pot or placing a fan by my casting pot to blow the smoke and fumes away from my face.

I am fine. My wife is fine. My adult sons are fine. Maybe my lead levels are a little elevated - I wouldn't know because I experience none of the symptoms of lead poisoning and thus have no interest in being tested.

I've known a LOT of shooters over the years and never have I heard anyone complain about lead poisoning. Not once.

Honestly, I think people react a little hysterically when it comes to lead.

[Rickrock1]

You and you kid will be fine.
Do not make a problem were there is none.
It is nice you are concerned but you need not be--especially with the steps you take
What you are doing is more than I have done and I have not had a problem since I started in the late 1950's. My daughter has never had a problem and she started shooting when she was 4.5 years old. I shoot both inside and out. Mostly outside now. I also shoot at least 4 times a month and usually for all day. I also RSO on other days. My daughter is 23 and has been shooting all along. No trouble for her or her 18 month old daughter.

Cleaning them will not cause trouble. Just clean up any mess you make.

I would not be concerned but if you are get tested for it. That would put your mind to rest.

This is my answer if you are not a troll. If you are then they will not let me post my answer with being banned. Not worth it.

CDC

[Milsurp Collector]

Maybe my lead levels are a little elevated - I wouldn't know because I experience none of the symptoms of lead poisoning and thus have no interest in being tested.

I've known a LOT of shooters over the years and never have I heard anyone complain about lead poisoning. Not once.

Hey, guess what. Your lack of symptoms, and the fact that you have never "heard anyone complain about lead poisoning" doesn't mean you and they don't have elevated levels of lead in your blood, because:

Most patients who suffer from lead poisoning are asymptomatic [have no symptoms], hence the importance of exposure assessment and screening.

https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/csem.asp?csem=7&po=11

If you have had significant exposure to lead, your apparent lack of symptoms (as far as you know) doesn't mean you don't have a problem.

[GraveTPO]

If you have had significant exposure to lead, your apparent lack of symptoms (as far as you know) doesn't mean you don't have a problem.

Most patients who suffer from lead poisoning are asymptomatic [have no symptoms], hence the importance of exposure assessment and screening.
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/csem.asp?csem=7&po=11

My point was that after four decades of fairly regular exposure to lead, I do not exhibit even a tiny symptomatic manifestation of of lead poisoning. However, you may be correct. Perhaps I am "suffering" from asymptomatic lead poisoning. We'll never know.

[Lonestargrizzly]

My point was that after four decades of fairly regular exposure to lead, I do not exhibit even a tiny symptomatic manifestation of of lead poisoning. However, you may be correct. Perhaps I am "suffering" from asymptomatic lead poisoning. We'll never know.

Do you ever put the pellets in your mouth before loading them?
Like hold it between your teeth?
I used to do that alot when I was about 10 or so.