The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: rojawe on January 24, 2012, 09:07:30 AM
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a Friend of mine emailed and said he was getting checked since he shoots in a indoor range. Have you or have you thought about this.
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Never!
I'd personally be more worried about the paint in my home!
Edit...I'll note that my range doesn't allow anything but jacketed ammo for use indoors and is properly ventilated.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2009-136/pdfs/2009-136.pdf
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If you cast your own bullets or reload cast bullets without wearing gloves, it might be wise to check it also.
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I have a friend that cast bullets for a living and his employees have to be checked twice a year. He has been open for eight years now and there has been no elevated lead readings in there blood. I would think that the every day shooter ad reloader will have no problem ether.
After your done sitting around and wasting time here, ::) Go check out his products at his web page. Rim Rock Bullets
http://www.rimrockbullets.net/catalog/ (http://www.rimrockbullets.net/catalog/)
Monty,
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About 5 years or so ago, I had a hair sample checked for heavy metal and vitamin and mineral levels. I was somewhat elevated in lead, but not in the danger range. I was a little above the safe range for antimony. I shoot lead bullets, and at the time I was shooting a once a month indoor ipsc match. I did some chelation, but I have not had my hair checked again. I think you should be very careful about washing your hands thoroughly after reloading.
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I think you should be very careful about washing your hands thoroughly after reloading.
+1
And after handling/buying stuff at the indoor range store, shooting, cleaning guns, loading mags, etc. I always use nitrile gloves when gun cleaning.
After firefighting/ems for 31 years, I'm almost OCD about handwashing after exposure to any kind of chemicals or snottin', sneezin' people and their kids.
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Basics of lead safety:
1. If you cast bullets have good ventilation;
2. When ever you handle or work with lead - casting, sizing, reloading, etc. have protective clothes that are worn just for that (tyvek coveralls are inexpensive, light weight, comfortable, cool, and can be used multiple times);
3. Always wash hands and face after handling or working with lead;
4. Shower and change clothes after a trip to the range - indoor or outdoor;
5. Carry some type of disposable wet wipes in your range bag to clean up with during and after shooting;
6. Never handle infants or young children before bathing and/or while wearing range clothes after shooting.
These are just some of the basics to live by. On one hand it is very simple to protect ourselves from lead, and it is not that dangerous. But at the same time a little carelessness goes a long way. I have dealt with many hazardous substances in my life, and lead is one of them. I have always been trained that the two largest dangers are inhalation (ventilation and particulate mask in some cases) and ingestion (contaminated hands to mouth, nose or handling food - don't open your pop and water bottles or cans with your dirty hands*)
* Note that I didn't say anything about adult beverages? That is because you don't mix alcohol and anything shooting STUPID!!!
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After firefighting/ems for 31 years, I'm almost OCD about hand washing after exposure to any kind of chemicals or snottin', sneezin' people and their kids.
It was 11 years in the nuclear industry that did that for me! You wash your hands BEFORE and AFTER using the restroom. It's rather embarrassing to have someone survey your pecker for contamination!
;D
It makes a TSA junk rub seem like, well, normal!
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Several very active USPSA shooters in Atlanta had elevated lead levels. Understand these are guys who shoot 2 indoor matches a week, year in-year out. And the primary range they used wasn't all that well ventilated. They were also ROs so besides their own lead spray, they were inhaling other shooters' as well.
That particular range now prohibits un-jacketed rounds for down range "matches".
I asked my doctor and she said that since I had no symptoms of lead poisoning, she couldn't "prescribe" the blood test, at least not and have the insurance company pay for it. Since my level of shooting participation on the suspect range is rather low, she said it's highly unlikely I would have a problem.
Still, because of the smoke and haze created when shooting lead, I've switched to all jacketed or plated rounds. On my home range the ventilation is very good, but it's still nice not having to sight through a fog.
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Several very active USPSA shooters in Atlanta had elevated lead levels. Understand these are guys who shoot 2 indoor matches a week, year in-year out. And the primary range they used wasn't all that well ventilated. They were also ROs so besides their own lead spray, they were inhaling other shooters' as well.
That particular range now prohibits un-jacketed rounds for down range "matches".
I asked my doctor and she said that since I had no symptoms of lead poisoning, she couldn't "prescribe" the blood test, at least not and have the insurance company pay for it. Since my level of shooting participation on the suspect range is rather low, she said it's highly unlikely I would have a problem.
Still, because of the smoke and haze created when shooting lead, I've switched to all jacketed or plated rounds. On my home range the ventilation is very good, but it's still nice not having to sight through a fog.
Have been in to be checked for post potty room nuclear contamination ;D
OK, between that and the post on the other thread I am going to just head to the corner on my own ... Beers cold come on over.
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Several very active USPSA shooters in Atlanta had elevated lead levels. Understand these are guys who shoot 2 indoor matches a week, year in-year out. And the primary range they used wasn't all that well ventilated. They were also ROs so besides their own lead spray, they were inhaling other shooters' as well.
That particular range now prohibits un-jacketed rounds for down range "matches".
I asked my doctor and she said that since I had no symptoms of lead poisoning, she couldn't "prescribe" the blood test, at least not and have the insurance company pay for it. Since my level of shooting participation on the suspect range is rather low, she said it's highly unlikely I would have a problem.
Still, because of the smoke and haze created when shooting lead, I've switched to all jacketed or plated rounds. On my home range the ventilation is very good, but it's still nice not having to sight through a fog.
Was that Autrey's Armory?
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Nope. But my liver tells me I should. All the years I was a armorer and was eating/drinking coffee, etc. and cleaning firearms in the Air Force. Never was mentioned about lead poisoning while serving. Too late now. :)
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Nope. But my liver tells me I should. All the years I was a armorer and was eating/drinking coffee, etc. and cleaning firearms in the Air Force. Never was mentioned about lead poisoning while serving. Too late now. :)
Go get it checked and treated, Ping. IIRC, there are means to reduce the problem.
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Nope. But my liver tells me I should. All the years I was a armorer and was eating/drinking coffee, etc. and cleaning firearms in the Air Force. Never was mentioned about lead poisoning while serving. Too late now. :)
You can do a liver cleanse and several other types of detox. There is also oral chelation. Let me know if you are interested and I can point you in the right direction.
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Ping, talk to a "stoner" ask what he uses to pass a urine test for work.
There are herbal teas in most pharmacies and health food stores that clean liver and kidneys.
But you have to drink a gallon of it and a gallon of water.
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They question was about indoor ranges and nothing about reloading and having your blood checked.
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They question was about indoor ranges and nothing about reloading and having your blood checked.
You are right. I just double checked and reloading isn't mentioned at all.
But if you are wise, you won't ignore the advice. ;D
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They question was about indoor ranges and nothing about reloading and having your blood checked.
Would everyone who may have supplied information other than that specifically requested please apologize. God forbid a topic gets expanded on and people may learn something.
For your answer, Fck no.
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They question was about indoor ranges and nothing about reloading and having your blood checked.
Lead exposure is lead exposure, and my answer goes to all areas of shooting - indoor ranges, outdoor ranges, and reloading. If you don't like it don't read my responses, but that does not change the situation that carelessness around lead will get you and taking precautions will protect you.
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LOL at Tom about talking to a "stoner"!!! ;D Don't deal with stoners too much these days. Must say I miss them cause they weren't violent. Today they all appear to be pill poppers and meth heads.
Never thought to get it checked tilll reading this topic in the forum. Heck, we (Air Force Armorers) all used to smoke, drink coffee, clean M-16's, GAU's, 870's, M203's, M-60's and Mk 19's. Never even thought about it nor was it ever mentioned. ???
Did not learn how to protect against lead exposure till attending the NRA Firearm's Instructor Course last year. Now I know not to wash my hands with warm or hot water. :)
I promise the next time I go get a physical I will be sure to tell my physician about my lead exposure and have it checked.
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I used to shoot a once a week indoor IDPA style match. I went to IDPA Nat's in 2007, won my class in my division, and was subsequently banned from that indoor range when I got back home. Anywhooo...despite all the rumor mongering amongst all the St. Louis area shooters, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I picked up casting boolits and dropping my own bird shot, but not shooting those indoor matches anymore is what really made my lead levels drop. They were in the low 20's, and now they are in single digits, even though I still cast boolits and make birdshot.
Just like snorting coke, the quickest way to get anything into your system is to aerosolize it and then inhale it. That is exactly what you're doing at a crappy indoor range.
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Only if there's not an exit wound...
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Every yr. I get a full blown blood work up dince 1985. This is due to being a F/F haz-mat tech and req. by my dept., I also reload and shoot indoors alot in the winter months and always wash my mitts. For 20 plus yrs. i have never had any elevated levels.
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I used to shoot a once a week indoor IDPA style match. I went to IDPA Nat's in 2007, won my class in my division, and was subsequently banned from that indoor range when I got back home.
Really!?! I would be happy to shoot with a National Champion even if he kicked my butt every week!
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serum lead level is measured in micrograms per deciliter of blood (.000001g per 100ml blood) with a standard <10 ug/dl
wash your hands, blow your nose after shooting...have your level checked, just one more box for you Dr to check on your bloodwork...all lead compounds are poisonous
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serum lead level is measured in micrograms per deciliter of blood (.000001g per 100ml blood) with a standard <10 ug/dl
wash your hands, blow your nose after shooting...have your level checked, just one more box for you Dr to check on your bloodwork...all lead compounds are poisonous
I've heard the 230 grain ones are extremely poisonous ;D. But seriously, I used to work in Environmental Cleanup and had my blood levels checked going onto and off of every job. We dealt with some nasty stuff but my levels remained withing normal levels, PPE and proper hygiene work.
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Really!?! I would be happy to shoot with a National Champion even if he kicked my butt every week!
Yeah, thanks!
In my case, it was the bump from Sharpshooter to Expert. It wasn't like I made Master, or that I was giving Rob Leatham, Dave Sevigny, or Bob Vogel a run for their money. I received a nice looking plaque/trophy for my win, and Bill Wilson presented it to me and shook my hand. So that was kinda neat.
As far as getting "banned", well, hey, I guess I was a victim of my own success.
The silver lining is that I am not in there every week inhaling all that lead.
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The wonderful thing about the respiratory system is that it's a very efficient filter. Unless you're a smoker, most of what you inhale is exhaled immediately. The rest is filtered deeper by which, your system rids itself of bothersome contaminants on a continual basis. Lead is a nasty thing but the human body is wonderfully respondent to that which is not natural.
Play safe, consider the consequences and enjoy!
If you're playing in a range that is indoors, take a look around! It's not that hard to figure if it's sucking air in (bad) or blowing air out (good)!
Wash your hands, you probably had them in an inappropriate place anyway!