Got my Lead Level tested.

Colorado4Wheel · 10-05-2011, 16:24

Level was between normal limits. It was on the high side of normal. I was really worried because I made some mistakes at the beginning with some elevated lead temps and I know that is dangerous. So good news on that front.

**janice6** · 10-05-2011, 16:50

An old friend of mine got tested and found he was at extremely high levels. He worked at an aviation engine rebuilding company and airplanes use/used leaded gas. When he was cleaning heads he was exposed to lead particulates as dust.

BE CAREFUL IN WHATEVER YOU DO REGARDING LEAD, GUYS.

ron59 · 10-05-2011, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colorado4Wheel

Level was between normal limits. It was on the high side of normal.

Glad to hear it, Steve. Next exam I have I'm going to get mine checked as well. I try to be careful washing my hands and stuff, not sure about the dangers of how much I shoot at the indoor range....

sellersm · 10-05-2011, 16:56

okay, holding back all the comments about 'being normal'...

If they're a bit high, look at it this way: you'd be your own radiation shield!

fredj338 · 10-05-2011, 17:01

I cast & shoot nothing but lead bullets in most of my guns. My last years levels were wll below normal. Shooting indoors is the fastest way to high lead levels other than maybe smoking & eating while handling lead. Cast in a well vented area, no issues. You can't get the lead hot enough to vaporize (above 1100deg). Clean your casting are w/ a damp rag every now & then to remove any lead dust from the sprue opening & little issue. Now not everyone's body accepts outside contaminants the same, so caution is always the better choice.

Colorado4Wheel · 10-05-2011, 17:03

High Normal. Thats good right?

Colorado4Wheel · 10-05-2011, 17:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredj338

I cast & shoot nothing but lead bullets in most of my guns. My last years levels were wll below normal. Shooting indoors is the fastest way to high lead levels other than maybe smoking & eating while handling lead. Cast in a well vented area, no issues. You can't get teh elad hot enough to vaporize (above 1100deg). Clean your casting are w/ a damp rag every now & then to remove any lead dust from the sprue opening & little issue. Now not everyone's body accepts outside contaminants the same, so caution is always the better choice.

I know I made some mistakes exposing myself to lead dust in the past. I plan to be much more careful in the future.

Uncle Don · 10-05-2011, 18:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredj338

Shooting indoors is the fastest way to high lead levels other than maybe smoking & eating while handling lead. Cast in a well vented area, no issues. You can't get teh elad hot enough to vaporize (above 1100deg). Clean your casting are w/ a damp rag every now & then to remove any lead dust from the sprue opening & little issue.

Actually, with a little bit of precaution, that isn't the case. My job puts me behind seven shooters for two hours per day, four days a week. As a normal part of my checkup, I get a lead check annually. "Normal" is different based on age, but for me, the high teens is perfectly acceptable. My Doctor knows what I do (wants to take the course now!) and watches that number carefully.

Ours is an indoor range and this is my tenth year. I make sure the ventilation system is changed often and we use "D-Lead" soap in the bathroom. The rule is that everyone "d-leads" before they leave the area. We also require full length pants, shoes (no flip flops or anything close to that) and full shirts as opposed to muscle shirts.

I don't cast much anymore, but as long as you don't expose yourself to the dross and wash your hands and wipe things down when you're done, you are actually exposed to less toxic lead than when you tumble brass. It's those primers which contain lead styphanite (sp) that gives us fits.

ChrisJn · 10-05-2011, 18:28

If I can add words of advice to anyone who shoots on indoor ranges.
Back in the late '60's maybe early '70's all the London indoor police ranges had to be closed down because all the firearms instructors were found to have extremely elevated lead count in their blood. This was due to very bad ventilation in the old underground cellar type ranges that we were using at the time. A fortune was spent in upgrading the ventilation in these ranges and there was a mad scramble to find property where outdoor ranges could be built and for a while it meant busing police out of London to distant military ranges for training and qualification.
Be warned. If you use indoor ranges it well worth having your blood tested.
If it is high find somewhere else to shoot!

Colorado4Wheel · 10-05-2011, 18:39

Our local indoor range has HORRIBLE ventilation. I used to shoot there a good amount but it's been 3 years at least. I shoot outdoors exclusively now.

ChrisJn · 10-05-2011, 18:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colorado4Wheel

...I shoot outdoors exclusively now.

Good move!

Hoser · 10-05-2011, 18:48

I get mine checked every 6 months.

Still in the normal range, but like you the high side of it.

WiskyT · 10-05-2011, 19:17

Call the doc and see if they can get you the actual number. Truly normal would be zero. That said, anything under 20 is basically a non-issue. I had mine checked a couple of years ago and it was 7. I just had it checked and it came back "normal", I didn't bother to track down the number since I figure if they don't seem concerend about it, I'm not going to get worried over it.

Colorado4Wheel · 10-05-2011, 19:33

16/17, I forget exactly.

jdavionic · 10-05-2011, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colorado4Wheel

16/17, I forget exactly.

See what happens with too much lead exposure

**n2extrm** · 10-05-2011, 20:02

Steve glad it is in the normal range, even high normal is better then just too high.

I think the indoor shooting is a bigger issue then casting properly. Not that I know much about casting. I just look at the exposure risks, not much lead vapor in casting. Shooting well I think it's a bit higher.

I have a few friends that all had very high levels, they all shot indoors slot and had no other exposures, did not cast or reload. Just shooting in poorly vented indoor ranges.

Personally I have all but given up on the indoor ranges, except maybe on a rare occasion. They all seem to have terrible ventilation around here.

ChrisJn · 10-05-2011, 20:16

Perhaps my earlier statement needs a little clarification.
Let me re-iterate. It was the instructors, NOT the trainees/qualifiers, who had the high lead content. The instructors were in the ranges 4-6 hours a day five days a week. Once the ventilation was sorted and the instructors rotated between indoor and outdoor ranges I believe the problem went away.
So, if you are using indoor ranges a lot (don't know what would constitute "a lot") just be careful and have a blood test run.
Be safe out there.

ncglock19 · 10-05-2011, 20:24

Guys-

I was always taught that the eye protection was not (and could not) stop bullets, but was to help deflect ricochets and keep lead dust out of your eyes.

I washed hands and face with cold water (hot water opens the pores) as prescribed by my instructors.

Just wondering if any of you might have thought about wearing one of the painters masks to keep from breathing in lead dust while indoors.

nc19

fredj338 · 10-05-2011, 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Don

Actually, with a little bit of precaution, that isn't the case. My job puts me behind seven shooters for two hours per day, four days a week. As a normal part of my checkup, I get a lead check annually. "Normal" is different based on age, but for me, the high teens is perfectly acceptable. My Doctor knows what I do (wants to take the course now!) and watches that number carefully.

Ours is an indoor range and this is my tenth year. I make sure the ventilation system is changed often and we use "D-Lead" soap in the bathroom. The rule is that everyone "d-leads" before they leave the area. We also require full length pants, shoes (no flip flops or anything close to that) and full shirts as opposed to muscle shirts.

I don't cast much anymore, but as long as you don't expose yourself to the dross and wash your hands and wipe things down when you're done, you are actually exposed to less toxic lead than when you tumble brass. It's those primers which contain lead styphanite (sp) that gives us fits.

I will maintane that working an indoor range is worse than doing anything else shooting wise. You are exposed to lead priming styphinates. I know a SAPD officer, 10yrs as RO, had to take a med retirement due to high lead levels, 200X normal. Now can you do things to lesson the affects, sure. Wash your hands & face often. Limit your direct exsposure to airborn lead dust from actual firings, but you are still @ high risk. Now as I noted, not everyone takes to outside contaminants the same, so you may just be lucky. I don't like to rely on lucky. Start wearing at least a N95 dust mask if not a respirator. We like you DOn, like to have you around for along while.

G36_Me · 10-05-2011, 21:42

I shoot a ton at my indoor range. About a year ago I asked the Dr. to check it and they said I had to go to a lab to get it done... so I never did. I'm going to have it checked but have to go to the hospital lab. Hopefully, I won't have anything to report back.

steve4102 · 10-06-2011, 06:19

What are the health issues associated with high lead levels in adults?

ChrisJn · 10-06-2011, 06:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve4102

What are the health issues associated with high lead levels in adults?

Adults exposed to lead can experience anemia, nervous system dysfunction, kidney problems, hypertension, decreased fertility, and increased level of miscarriages. Plus increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
If you Google "high lead levels in blood" you will find pages of information.

Colorado4Wheel · 10-06-2011, 07:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve4102

What are the health issues associated with high lead levels in adults?

Nothing until it's already really really bad.

jmorris · 10-06-2011, 07:50

I have mine checked every year but have to remind the Doc. Back when my level was high I shot an indoor match once a week, I quit shooting indoors and levels dropped to normal.

Beanie-Bean · 10-06-2011, 08:21

C4W,

I hope that you will be OK. I appreciate you bringing this topic up, and will be sure to ask the doc during the annual physical to test for lead levels, too.

I didn't really shoot too much indoors, because I really don't like all the smoky, firecracker-smelling atmosphere.

The other thing that turned me off to indoor ranges was a guy in the next stall with his .44 Magnum 6" plinking gun he had. I thought I had a concussion when he fired the first round!

So the takeaway from this is to get regular check-ups, and shoot/cast outdoors if possible. Oh yeah...and to try to drink more water.