Handling lead

[Clickjack]

[NapalmCheese]

First, if they are coated, it's not likely lead on your fingers. Second, what are they coated with? Powder coat? Hi-Tek polymer coating? Third they should keep your bore from leading but can still lead your bore if the coating is damaged during loading. Fourth, as for handling lead... Wash your hands before you suck on your fingers and you'll be fine.

[JackEllis]

I've always been slightly OCD about washing my hands. I wash 'em after I've been messing with range brass and after I've been loading.

About two years ago I get tested for lead exposure and the lead level in my blood was at a safe level.

If you aren't dry tumbling, you'll want to wash your hands thoroughly after you touch cases and bullets.

[SuperBanther]

TL; DR - Don't eat, drink, or smoke while handing lead. Wash hands well when your finished.

Detailed Version:
When handling lead, the main concern is "absorption into the body".

When lead is on your hands, avoid touching your mouth, eyes, and nose as exposure leads to significant absorption into the blood stream. You also want to make sure your hands are dry as moisture may cause your skin to absorb lead (lead is not usually absorbed through the skin).

You want to avoid situations where you accidentally consume, or inhale lead - i.e. don't be eating, drinking, or smoking while reloading.

The CDC recommends washing your hands with a de-leading soap citing that washing your hands with household soap and water is not enough.

You may also choose to use PPE like Gloves, particulate filtering masks, goggles.

Sources:
CDC - How You Can Keep Yourself and Your Family Safe from Lead

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/lead/safe.html#cit-1

OSHA - Substance data sheet for occupational exposure to lead

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1025AppA

Skin Absorption of Inorganic Lead (PbO) and the Effect of Skin Cleansers

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16832226/

Lead Brick SDS

http://www.physics.purdue.edu/primelab/safety/MSDS/SDS/lead%20brick%20-%20Mayco%20Industries.pdf

Oh and - you might want to avoid getting hit by lead projectiles traveling at about 1,000 ft/second.

[Divernhunter]

do not over think it.
We all got to die sometime

[bruce381]

keep lead and or dust etc out of you mouth it is NOT absorbed through skin.

wash hands before eating, drinking picking nose etc.
you will be fine.

Most leading I think comes from tumbling brass and the dust it makes you breath in avoid that.

[rsrocket1]

If they are Bear Creek bullets, you have the moly powder on your hands, not lead. Just wash your hands anyway.

[BruceR]

I think the lead danger depends upon its size. "Big" lead -- bullets, ingots, lead you can readily see -- aren't so much a problem. "Little" lead --dust, molecules as in lead paint or lead crystal -- are the problem as they do get ingested via mouth, nose, and eyes.

With the above in mind, use good sanitation practices and avoid the little stuff.

[capo602002]

I have taken to wearing thin surgical type gloves no matter what I am reloading. Just seems the wise thing to do.

[PaperTarget]

OP. Good of you to consider the risks. Since you know that you possibly can get exposed to too much lead by 3 ways: touching, eating, or breathing it. You can take steps to reduce that exposure.

No direct skin contact with solvents. Use gloves when using solvents.
No chips or Cheetos on the reloading bench. Wash hands with soap after handling and especially before eating.
Don't ever heat lead to a boil where the lead vapors can be inhaled.

Your awareness of the risks will likely drive you to take precautions and put you at low risk.

[Cowboy T]

Working at a shooting range taught me that the greatest lead exposure is not due to cast bullets, but rather the primers. The compound is lead styphnate, and it's the dust from firing, which you could breathe in, that is the largest risk. Same goes for tumbling cases; some primer dust is still in those shells.

With that said, using proper hygiene, as posters here have already advised, should keep you out of trouble.

[Spyder]

I have pretty much only been sure to was my hands after loading and shooting, and not worry about lead otherwise. I've handled a LOT of bullets and a LOT of ammo in the last 20 years. Had my blood lead level checked a couple months back and it tested unreadable.

I do not cast or pour molten, so that likely helps.