Lead and YOU

[perpetual otter]

Now I know that lead is really bad for you ( and me). But how bad exactly? I don't mean the health risks and such but WHAT is bad? For example, I went to the range today and shot off about 200 rds of 223 and 100 rds of .45 and I collected all the brass and threw it into an old backpack I use to transport it from the range to my house. Afterward on the way home I went to pick up a pizza and was about to put it into the trunk (with the guns and the brass bag!) and it hit me... Is this really that bad? I ended up taking the pizza to the front seat with me but from that experience I began to wonder how bad can lead affect me and my fellow shooters?

BTW,
Anybody know a standard way of washing your hands of lead? Water temp? Type of soap? Brush required? etc etc

[Kestryll]

Why does this remind me of...

[HCz]

My rule of thumb is to clean yourself after shooting, and do not touch foods unless you need to(hydrating during hot days).

My usual guideline is,
After shooting, wash hands.
Put the clothes you wore to the range in the washing machine.
Take shower before you go to bed or ASAP.

A casual shooter who shoots occasionally will not have much problem. However, someone who shoots too much, especially in a poorly ventilated indoor range will have elevated lead level.

I heard of a guy who had quite a high level of lead concentration inside of him. He was a reloader and when he came to the indoor range he stayed indoor for hours(3 or more). I don't know what he did after shooting, but he said he got to the point where it was too much and had to stay away from shooting.

As for some specifics, I heard that cold water is better than the hot water since it doesn't open up pores, and while most hand soaps will do, a strong one like a LAVA soap will do a better job.

[joepamjohn]

You will soon die. What guns do you want to sell cheap in order to pay for your funeral?

Seriously, While lead is not a good thing, you probably do more harm to your body on a good Saturday night out and eating a grease filled pizza aint the best either.

Now, how about those guns???

[Full Clip]

Guns & Ammo did a good piece on lead exposure last year: read it here.

[joelogic]

Good article, thanks for posting it. I will start washing my clothes and not eating while I reload. I will tumble my brass in my cement mixer outdoors.

[Mickey D]

I reload while chewing paint chips from my 1956 built home.

[bohoki]

back when i was like 7 i ate an almond roca candy and it had a bit of foil still on it and i asked my dad if aluminum foil is poisonous

he said well you dont want to eat it cause it could be

and i was freakin out i wrote a little will giving my brother my transformers and atari

i didnt die and never told anybody but for a week i was a really weird kid

[bruceflinch]

Next time you go the doctor for something, ask them to do a blood draw & test for lead...

[11011500a]

Lead is most dangerous at high velocity.

[joepamjohn]

Lead is most dangerous at high velocity.

Good one...LOL

[paul0660]

What I always do is ask Chikinfrigginlittle and he says be glad I wasn't my Daddy working in the brake plant in the thirties until he was lucky enough to man the anchor chain while the Mississippi's 14 inchers were going off.

I guess those Civil War dudes biting the bullet while their leg got amputated weren't adequately informed.....................

Did you know there is radiation in smoke detectors?

[CalNRA]

I will start washing my clothes and not eating while I reload.

But do you still drink while you reload?

[NSR500]

Dibs on your guns!

[Dr Pete]

I should be dead already!...........Still waiting
Only thing I ask my wife is put a good board over my *** so the dogs don't dig me up and drag me around the yard!