Instructors: How to keep Lead Levels in check?!

[Corpral_Agarn]

Hello Instructors of THR!

I am a firearms instructor (part time) and a competitive shooter (3-5 matches/month)

I have been barred from working at the range where I instruct because the lead levels in my blood have tested too high.

I do not believe I am at any risk or health issues but, apparently, the County can stop me from going to work because of these test results.

I want to know what I should be doing to help keep those lead levels in check.
I am pretty adamant about washing hands after shooting, but I need something more, apparently.

Any tips or things I may have overlooked?

 

[Coyote3855]

I had my lead level checked a few months ago and it was at 13. But I have no idea if it is high because of a lifetime (65 years) of shooting, instructing basic pistol classes, or loading a long ton of lead bullets bare handed.

I can't quote the source, I think it was in Concealed Carry magazine about 6 months ago, that said washing after shooting is not very effective in removing lead from the skin even if you use cold water. The article recommended a specific pre moistened wipe as better than other methods.

How high is your level?

I had a friend who wore an expensive respirator when he shot indoors.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Wear a mask at the range. After work, take all cloths off, have them washed, and take a shower BEFORE you do anything else.

Never eat with your bare hands after working (lead on them.)

Shake you hair to get the lead dust out of it to before any eating or drinking of liquids.

Keep anything you eat or drink on the range covered at all times.

Do these things and lower your lead levels.

Deaf

 

[VoodooMountain]

I have heard that vitamin c and calcium are good at reducing lead levels. I would get good food based supplements.

Here's a quick read that should lend some insight.

I'm just spit balling on this part but many places will cite inconsistent findings with vitamin c and calcium. I think a lot of this comes from the quality of the nutrients. A lot of vitamin c supplements are in the form of ascorbic acid and dairy products can rob you of calcium despite common belief. Again, just some thoughts as to inconsistency because clearly these nutrients have an effect overall.

https://www.lead.org.au/fs/Fact_sheet-Nutrients_that_reduce_lead_poisoning_June_2010.pdf

 

[hso]

I do not believe I am at any risk or health issues but, apparently, the County can stop me from going to work because of these test results.

What was you BLL and ZPP? If you've been removed from lead exposure it is because of a specific BLL and your employer was obligated to tell you. How do you know you weren't at any risk?

Are you an employee or a contract worker? If the range air supplying system were performing properly you wouldn't have an uptake just from inhalation making your uptake from improper "hygiene" (hand and face washing, eating/drinking on the range or without washing hands, smoking without washing hands or while on the range). What training did you receive when you started?

The county doesn't set BLL limits. That's either a Fed or State (if more restrictive) regulation.

No one can tell you what you missed if you don't tell us everything you were doing. How often did you wash your hands? Every time you came off the range? Before you smoked or ate or drank anything?

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

I had my lead level checked a few months ago and it was at 13. But I have no idea if it is high because of a lifetime (65 years) of shooting, instructing basic pistol classes, or loading a long ton of lead bullets bare handed.

I can't quote the source, I think it was in Concealed Carry magazine about 6 months ago, that said washing after shooting is not very effective in removing lead from the skin even if you use cold water. The article recommended a specific pre moistened wipe as better than other methods.

How high is your level?

I had a friend who wore an expensive respirator when he shot indoors.

Interesting.

My level is 15.

What was you BLL and ZPP? If you've been removed from lead exposure it is because of a specific BLL and your employer was obligated to tell you. How do you know you weren't at any risk?

Are you an employee or a contract worker? If the range air supplying system were performing properly you wouldn't have an uptake just from inhalation making your uptake from improper "hygiene" (hand and face washing, eating/drinking on the range or without washing hands, smoking without washing hands or while on the range). What training did you receive when you started?

The county doesn't set BLL limits. That's either a Fed or State (if more restrictive) regulation.

No one can tell you what you missed if you don't tell us everything you were doing. How often did you wash your hands? Every time you came off the range? Before you smoked or ate or drank anything?

I do not believe I am at risk because of research on lead levels and when it becomes dangerous. Though, I am not familiar with ZPP...

I am an employee. I do not recall training. Granted I only work +-20hrs/month.
I am under the impression (from employer) that levels above 10 have to be reported to the county and that the county employment health will be contacting me. I haven't heard from them yet.

I think I need to reevaluate my range hygiene, for sure.
I don't eat/drink on the range and only partake after I have washed.

Although, if I am perfectly honest, I have forgotten to wash my hands a few times before leaving the range in the last 12 months.
I never eat/drink until I have washed.
I hadn't considered washing my face, before now. I wear a beard most of the time so that could be a factor.

I am not trying to leave anything out. I didn't give this much thought until now. I do try to wash my hands before leaving the range. That's about the extent of it, though.

Our range is indoor and on top of the instruction, I shoot two matches/month at indoor ranges.

It sounds like I need to take washing more seriously and get some wipes for when I am out and about.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

Wear a mask at the range. After work, take all cloths off, have them washed, and take a shower BEFORE you do anything else.

Never eat with your bare hands after working (lead on them.)

Shake you hair to get the lead dust out of it to before any eating or drinking of liquids.

Keep anything you eat or drink on the range covered at all times.

Do these things and lower your lead levels.

Deaf

Thanks. I haven't been doing that.

I will be now.

I have heard that vitamin c and calcium are good at reducing lead levels. I would get good food based supplements.

Here's a quick read that should lend some insight.

I'm just spit balling on this part but many places will cite inconsistent findings with vitamin c and calcium. I think a lot of this comes from the quality of the nutrients. A lot of vitamin c supplements are in the form of ascorbic acid and dairy products can rob you of calcium despite common belief. Again, just some thoughts as to inconsistency because clearly these nutrients have an effect overall.

https://www.lead.org.au/fs/Fact_sheet-Nutrients_that_reduce_lead_poisoning_June_2010.pdf

Thank you for that link.

 

[larry_minn]

IMO high lead levels are not good. Reduce exposure. Wear a decent fitted mask. (its scarry how dirty they are after just a hr at range)
Yrs ago I was one of RO at small club. We used to sweep range every night, vacume carpet behind shooting positions. (not good) Of course we shut down vent system because shooting done (really not good)

so now they have a (whole range) vacume. (so all air is sucked to outside massive filter) Rather then blow lead around. You don't sweep anything. And range personal don't even do that.
When I leave range I have washed my hands couple times, before I eat i wash again (and face) Cloths go in wash machine. Then take a shower.

 

[patmccoy]

prevailing Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) lead standards allow workers removed from lead exposure to return to lead work when their BLL falls below 40 µg/dL.

from:http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/csem.asp?csem=7&po=8

BLL of 15 is not high for an adult. The BLL for kids was max of a1, but that was reduced to 5 in 2015. (same citation)

Vitamin C has been found to reduce BLL (http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content5/vit.c.lowers.lead.html), and my blood test history reflects that. I've been taking 1000mg of vitamin c daily for several years. Next BLL test is Sept 8. I can report more after that.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

from:http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/csem.asp?csem=7&po=8

BLL of 15 is not high for an adult. The BLL for kids was max of a1, but that was reduced to 5 in 2015. (same citation)

Vitamin C has been found to reduce BLL (http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content5/vit.c.lowers.lead.html), and my blood test history reflects that. I've been taking 1000mg of vitamin c daily for several years. Next BLL test is Sept 8. I can report more after that.

I am pretty sure I need more Vitamin C for sure.

I will up the intake on that ASAP.

Thanks for that info.

 

[blarby]

Well, you're still way better off than I was.

Some actual documented info on vitamin chelation :

https://www.seanet.com/~alexs/ascorbate/193x/holmes-hn-etal_j_lab_clin_med-1939-v23-n11-p1119.html

I was taking 2000iu of C, 4000iu of B-Complex, and a high calcium multivitamin under advisement from my healthcare professional.

The most important part of chelation is hydration. I was mandated to drink no less than 80oz of water- not tea, soda, milk, juice...WATER per day, in addition to any other liquids.

Alchohol is the enemy of Hydration, and thus, Chelation, unfortunately.

This regimen persisted for about 7 months in total, and removed approximately 35+ points from my lead levels in that time.

SEE. A. DOCTOR.

Not the internet, and unfortunately included in that, "here" is equally bad. Theres a common misconception around these parts that you can eat lead cheerios for breakfast everyday, to no health risk whatsoever. Those guys will be along shortly to tell you how defective you must be, and that your exposure is nothing to worry about, and that they had a lead shaker on their table every night, and all of their 19 kids ( most of whom now have varying neurological conditions or cancers) were no worse for the effort. Ignore them. Especially if you have children around you, you are more than likely looking at some physical cleanup of your home environment in addition to your body lead levels.

I was fairly amazed at what lead testing strips turned up around not only my shooting and reloading areas, but essentially throughout my home and vehicles. Lead has just the right ionic attraction to bond to your hands....and then release to doorknobs....and the rest is history.

SEE. A. DOCTOR.

When you return to work, enquire about lead-abating wipes and soap. After the visit from OSHA once county forwards your records up ( which WILL happen, im sure...ask HSO, limits are set by state, but 15 is certainly actionable enough to get your employer on the radar, if they werent already, they are now...), im certain your employer is going to be more than happy to supply you.

Beards are particle traps, btw. Washing your hands is good, but you're draggin a mop through the air which is attached to your mouth. Wash your face

 

[ilbob]

I don't know how it is in other states but in Illinois the labs that do BLL testing are required to report it to the county health department.

The thing is that it is well known and proven that high BLL in younger children does have negative consequences for their developmental processes.

It is also pretty well known that past the age of 6 to 8 that BLL do not matter much unless they get very high. Than they can create all kinds of actual health problems.

Your employer is probably following the guidelines that came from lead exposure in other industries such as battery manufacturing. The county has no authority to tell your employer who can work there or not, but OSHA does, and your employer probably wants to remain on friendly terms with OSHA as best he can.

My understanding from some very long chats with a very serious range lead expert about a decade ago was that poor hygiene is the cause of most lead ingestion from ranges. Smoking, eating, and drinking on the range or after leaving the range but before cleaning up are the worst causes of lead ingestion from ranges. Inhalation is way down the list as long as there is adequate ventilation. And adequate ventilation does not require hurricane force winds. The air flow past your head with adequate ventilation is barely noticeable.

 

[orionengnr]

It's been six/seven years since I started reading up on this (when I started handloading and shooting once a week) but I seem to recall that the Federally mandated "reporting" level was either 19 or 20.

Below that, you might be well advised to review/modify your practices, but no real cause for concern.

I can believe that CA would take that level and halve it, because, well...CA is where bad ideas are born. And yeah, I lived there for almost twenty years.

Mine has never exceeded 8 or 9, and these days is consistently at 3 or 4. Non-smoker, obsessive about hand and face washing after shooting or any phase of case prep or reloading.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

I have heard similar things about vitamin C, as well as cilantro in large amounts. The main thing is to limit exposure rather than mitigate. How is the ventilation system at your range? Many indoor ranges have inadequate ventilation systems. If it clears gunsmoke away quickly then it is working well. If the smoke lingers for a bit then it is not working.

 

[Saw-Bones]

Chelation Therapy Using EDTA

EDTA = Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid is a molecule called a chelating agent. A chelating agent is a substance that can attach to other molecules.

EDTA is sometimes prescribed by doctors to clean toxic metals, such as lead, from the blood. Doctors have used the molecule for decades to treat heavy metal poisoning. In those cases it is given through an IV.

The U.S. FDA approved the use of EDTA for lead poisoning on July 16, 1953, under the brand name of Versenate.

Some of the risks of taking EDTA:
The most common side effect of EDTA is burning at the IV site.

Chelating agents can also have serious, even life-threatening side effects. One of the most serious side effects of EDTA is kidney damage and kidney failure.

There are other side effects that have been reported in patients taking some forms of EDTA as well.

I am a doctor, but not your doctor. I posted the above for information purposes only and it is not a recommendation for its use. Consult a physician(s) personally for advice.

.

 

[lemaymiami]

I work with lead quite a bit (and have for many years)- but not at the range.... I make fishing lures in quantity (but I'm still just a solo operator) working out of my garage when I'm not on the water (also a full time fishing guide). I long ago quit doing any of my own molding work -instead I have it done for me out of state. My current exposure is with newly molded jig heads which I powder coat, then bake... I make a point of always working in the breeze of a fan with as much ventilation as possible. What I didn't know was the bit about hand washing - and I'll be adding that to my routine after reading what's been posted here. I've never had a blood test for lead but will probably request my doc to do that on my next physical...

Over the years I've always tried to avoid indoor ranges and kept my range time outdoors. Lead or other heavy metals can accumulate over time so it is a concern for anyone around the stuff...