Preventing Lead Exposure at Gun Range?

[digdug74]

I do the "surgeon" type scrub up in the range bathroom after shooting -- hands and forearms and wipe my face off with damp paper towels as well. As soon as I get home I usually jump in the shower but baring that, I'll at the very least change my clothes and then shower later.

[SactoDoug]

During the 1920s and 30s, BBs were made of lead without the coating we see today .my Dad 92, told us how he would would feel sick for a few days after spring started .

He claims it was because they carried the lead BBs in their mouths while out shooting .
We did the same thing in the 50 s but BBs were then coated with a copper something.

I would like to see a valid study on effects of small amounts of lead ingested . I'm guessing it's not a problem .

Small amounts of lead can be fatal if the fps is sufficient . No kidding huh ?

Lead in the mouth will not do anything. The lead BBs would have to be swallowed before they would be absorbed by the body. It is the hydrachloric acid in the stomach that reacts with the lead and converts it into a form that is absorbed and harmful.

[Timberwolf]

If you are so concerned about lead poisoning when you shoot that you feel compelled to immediately scrub yourself pink, wash your cloths and pletz over whether you're getting poisoned you should change hobbies. Maybe stamp collecting or board games would be more suitable.

[ja308]

Lead in the mouth will not do anything. The lead BBs would have to be swallowed before they would be absorbed by the body. It is the hydrachloric acid in the stomach that reacts with the lead and converts it into a form that is absorbed and harmful.

Thanx Doug ,
I didn't realise that !

[UnknownShooter]

Honestly most shooters in this country should be more worried about their blood sugar levels than lead levels.

+1

Just looking at the demographics & physical builds of the shooters at the range I frequent, most there would benefit more from a calcium score, paying close attention to the blockage on the left anterior descending artery (the "widowmaker")

http://heartsickandheadstrong.blogspot.com/2010/04/widowmaker.html

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/HeartDisease/calcium-scores-best-predictor-heart-attack/story?id=14334633

[bill_k_lopez]

Some of you are your own worst enemy.

[Teeko]

I don't worry about it

[calif 15-22]

Just to be clear here, lead is not carcinogenic. It is a poison. You get sick from exposure, you don't get cancer.

It is the biggest risk to children since their bodies are still growing and they absorb more of it. Its effect on adults is less, and 99% of it gets flushed out of an adults body in a few weeks. The main thing for adults is to avoid constant exposure to lead. If you shoot once a month or less, I would not even worry about it beyond basic precautions like washing your hands when you leave the range, washing your cloths and taking a shower at home after a range day.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead#Health_effects

^^^ THIS ^^^
Face mask at range I think would be more dangerous than without, as everyone turns to see "that dude with the mask" and sweeps you

General precautions are good. Wash up after before you eat, minimize handling casing, etc. I would be more worried about walking through the cloud of smokers sitting outside puffing away

As others have said about "my dad's been shooting for 400 yrs and no problems" is it's not the length of time but the amount of exposure. My Uncle was a painter for 50 yrs and has all sorts of health problems (lead paint, paint thinner, dust, etc)

Carry on . . .

[Jimi Jah]

I switched to lead free electronic solder years ago. Cheapo Russian steel ammo is also lead free.

So, what's the health consenquences of breathing in sulfur fumes? Do you turn into a devil?

[SneezySky]

i have lead exposure concerns as the op. not for me but for the kids. i prefer the outdoor ranges with the kids (i wish i had private land). i load the mags so they never touch the lead.

[RobertMW]

I would never eat or drink or anything at an indoor range. Any time I come home from there I am shooting out black snot rockets for hours.

But I eat all the time during USPSA outdoors, I would crash otherwise. I just go wash my hands to get any grease/oil/powder/etc. off my hands first. Didn't once, worst tasting apple of my life.

[Spyguy]

As the other guys already said, wash your hands, don't eat while or after shooting without washing them, try not to smoke before washing hands.

If you smoke, you've got bigger health issues to worry about than lead poisoning.

[TKM]

+1

Just looking at the demographics & physical builds of the shooters at the range I frequent, most there would benefit more from a calcium score, paying close attention to the blockage on the left anterior descending artery (the "widowmaker")

http://heartsickandheadstrong.blogspot.com/2010/04/widowmaker.html

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/HeartDi...ry?id=14334633

Boston Scientific has me covered there. 3.5mm x 24mm Monorail.

[Walking Fire]

Don't go as a Condor to the Halloween Party...