Lead at shooting ranges

[f4tweet]

Does anyone get their blood checked for lead on a regular basis, or wear protective breathing gear while shooting at indoor ranges?
Thanks.

[Sousuke]

Does anyone get their blood checked for lead on a regular basis, or wear protective breathing gear while shooting?
Thanks.

Indoor or Outdoor?

I never shoot at indoor ranges. Even at outdoor ranges there is minor exposure from your firearm (hands, arms, legs, chest etc.) I have a young one at home, so I always change my clothes and toss them in the washer when I get home to minimize any contamination. I also keep all my stuff in my workshop and never allow it in main living spaces.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

No and nope. Though I avoid indoor ranges.

[Lucky Scott]

Nope, I shoot outdoors, and wash my hands after shooting every time.

[AusomeDood]

[f4tweet]

Two of my friends lead levels are high.
One's level is 31, the other is 18.
That is why I posted.

[code_blue]

Depends on how often you shoot at indoor ranges and how long you stay during each trip.

OSHA requires that employees of indoor ranges get lead testing annually. It is not uncommon for staff to have lead levels in the red zone, however that is because they are cleaning the ranges and other tasks with higher and more direct exposure to lead. Booties, moon suits, and filtered breathing apparatuses are supposed to be used.

[spddrcr]

It absolutly is a threat if you shoot indoors. I at one time years ago was shooting indoors at target masters a couple times a week. I would also reload my own ammo and shoot USPSA matches about twice a month.
Well my doc wanted to do a lead test just for fun and when it came back I was sitting about 27.
the only thing at the time that I changed was to stop shooting at the indoor range and and my lead level was down to a 3 within a year.

[Sousuke]

Two of my friends lead levels are high.
One's level is 31, the other is 18.
That is why I posted.

31 is seriously high! What is his routine? I'm assuming he shoots multiple times a week indoors?

[gwanghoops]

got 32.9 on first my blood lead level while shooting maybe 2 times/a week at a local range. tried everything (dlead, range clothes/shoes, lead free primers, etc.) but a respirator which was uncomfortable and got a lot of stares.

the only thing that resolved my problem after about a year (with blood tests all in the 20s)...switching indoor ranges. still have regular blood tests to make sure everything is good.

if you have to shoot frequently indoors, get a blood lead level test whenever you see your doctor.

[hermosabeach]

Range rules
No eating
No drinking
No nose picking
No soda
No water
No dip
No smokes

While shooting indoors

Scrub hands before you leave the range

Same thing when you clean your guns

[Jwalt]

When I shoot my airguns and muzzle loaders I use finger cots. I get weird looks but I really don't care. Reloading those means touching lead directly all day.

I use range clothes and wear my hiking boots and keep it all in the garage. I take a cool shower right after I get home. I use D-lead. My range bags/mat are never in the house. I do 90% of my shooting outdoors.

I have two small children, one barely 2. I'm careful much more for them than me. Even low levels, under 5, can have serious negative impacts on kids. Levels of 4-5-6 are NOTHING in an adult.

[theLBC]

no, but i might if i shot as much as i would like to.
back in the day it was worse, but now there are ranges with very good ventilation and i'll stick to those when possible. you just have to understand that they are replacing all the air several times an hour so there is no temperature control. if it is 95 outside, it is going to be 95 in the lanes.
at least when it is colder it gives good reason to practice more with gloves.

[CinnamonBear723]

I get tested

[DVSmith]

When I shot indoors I tested every year. Was way up one year. Stopped shooting at indoor ranges and it dropped back down. I shoot outdoors almost exclusively now. Test every two years and things are fine.