I really would like to start reloading but I am sort of worried about lead. What is the correlation between reloading and lead problems, if any. I already do blacksmithing and bladesmithing as a hobby and want to reduce my heavy metal exposure as much as possible.
Lead problems
- Thread starter DReicht
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ReloaderFred
Member
If you're shooting, then you're already exposed to heavy metals, but with some simple precautions, you can eliminate the problems. First and foremost, don't put your hands or fingers in your mouth or nose during or after either shooting or reloading, until you wash your hands. Also, don't eat, drink or smoke until you've washed your hands. This goes for almost any activity, including shaking hands with others, handling money (possibly the worst carrier of germs), or anything else when you've contacted foreign surfaces, etc.
My doctor has told me over and over that the best way to prevent getting sick, or exposure to heavy metals, is to wash your hands.
Reloading isn't any more dangerous than shooting, as far as lead exposure is concerned, as long as you take those simple precautions. You don't have to wear surgical masks or rubber gloves. You just have to wash your hands.
Hope this helps.
Fred
PS: I wish I had never sold my blacksmithing equipment, but I moved and didn't have a place for the forges, etc. I still have my 150 pound English anvil, though.
My doctor has told me over and over that the best way to prevent getting sick, or exposure to heavy metals, is to wash your hands.
Reloading isn't any more dangerous than shooting, as far as lead exposure is concerned, as long as you take those simple precautions. You don't have to wear surgical masks or rubber gloves. You just have to wash your hands.
Hope this helps.
Fred
PS: I wish I had never sold my blacksmithing equipment, but I moved and didn't have a place for the forges, etc. I still have my 150 pound English anvil, though.
Car Knocker
Member
I've been using a barrier cream for many years. I initially started using this stuff at work for handling items that may have toxic residue on them (livers are so darned hard to replace!).
Would glove use and breathing masks be overkill but then again, even if it was considered to be I'd rather not fool around with it. I would hate to find out in twenty years that i had developed anemia or some other complication because of lead poisoning :-\ (I'm only a student)
Car Knocker
Member
I think the mask would be overkill since you wouldn't be exposed to vapors or small particulates. I have read that some people use gloves (nitrile) when handling lead bullets. It all boils down to going with what you are comfortable doing - if gloves give you a warm and fuzzy feeling, then wear gloves.
mjrodney
Member
Dish soap, water, and a small scrub brush works well to remove all visible traces of lead from the fingers.
cracked butt
Member
Yes, that's an outside activity for me.
Outside with a fan if there is no wind! I gave up casting for worrying about lead. I gave up shooting lead and went to plated bullets. Now plated are as exspensive as jacketed and both have gone up so much I am thinking of shooting lead again!!...thinking....
Paul "Fitz" Jones
Moderator - Emeritus
My Heavy lead exposure
As a Police and Civilian Rangemaster and Commercial Reloader National Guard, Police, Bullseye competitor I have been exposed to lead for decades.
My PD where I was the rangemaster days at a time with indoor range strong fans but did not realize all the lead fumes were blown out and down on the patrol car parking, Cop parking and the ground about was contaminated just walking into the department to sign in. I also dug the lead out of the sand trap to take to my home 3 ton smelter. I threw my clothes in the washer and my shoes in a bag.
In my commercial reloading shop had a pair of Bulletmasters casting 4,800 BPH and vented toward the large swimming pool which I did not think about at the time.
Years before I made and tested solid rocket propellant for the first space launches and ammonia nitrate and as we ground fine some became airborne and was strong skin irritant. So we had dispensers of Revlon medicated skin care on the walls for all exposed skin.
I later followed the same proceedure before leaving home for work, shooting matches and before entering my reloading room, operating my smelter and when needed wore gloves in addition.
I showered daily.
Competitors should shower well after competition and many change clothes after every match day and never sleep in the days worn underwear. Use PJ's guys.
When young I tried to melt an auto battery far into my garage with the big door and side door open for venting but it was not enough as I became sickish for several weeks. From then on while only a hobbiest I used a 50 lead melter under a patio roof with a fan blowing in my direction and under a roof because of local seagulls liking to drop their poop.
Once a drop of sweat fell in the pot and I turned fast but ruined my clothes and had small skin burns that did not blister. That was the only time lead flew in my career.
The only lead testing at the time was of hair and mine was a low level because I daily took Kelp pills from the health food store and whan scuba diving I brought kelp home to dry and use in recipes. I belived from reading studies in England on Lead workers that Algin in California kelp worked to remove lead from the body and it has worked for me for over 50 years
As a Police and Civilian Rangemaster and Commercial Reloader National Guard, Police, Bullseye competitor I have been exposed to lead for decades.
My PD where I was the rangemaster days at a time with indoor range strong fans but did not realize all the lead fumes were blown out and down on the patrol car parking, Cop parking and the ground about was contaminated just walking into the department to sign in. I also dug the lead out of the sand trap to take to my home 3 ton smelter. I threw my clothes in the washer and my shoes in a bag.
In my commercial reloading shop had a pair of Bulletmasters casting 4,800 BPH and vented toward the large swimming pool which I did not think about at the time.
Years before I made and tested solid rocket propellant for the first space launches and ammonia nitrate and as we ground fine some became airborne and was strong skin irritant. So we had dispensers of Revlon medicated skin care on the walls for all exposed skin.
I later followed the same proceedure before leaving home for work, shooting matches and before entering my reloading room, operating my smelter and when needed wore gloves in addition.
I showered daily.
Competitors should shower well after competition and many change clothes after every match day and never sleep in the days worn underwear. Use PJ's guys.
When young I tried to melt an auto battery far into my garage with the big door and side door open for venting but it was not enough as I became sickish for several weeks. From then on while only a hobbiest I used a 50 lead melter under a patio roof with a fan blowing in my direction and under a roof because of local seagulls liking to drop their poop.
Once a drop of sweat fell in the pot and I turned fast but ruined my clothes and had small skin burns that did not blister. That was the only time lead flew in my career.
The only lead testing at the time was of hair and mine was a low level because I daily took Kelp pills from the health food store and whan scuba diving I brought kelp home to dry and use in recipes. I belived from reading studies in England on Lead workers that Algin in California kelp worked to remove lead from the body and it has worked for me for over 50 years
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EricTheBarbarian
Member
thats good to know, i might look into the kelp pills. are they available at health food stores and what do they go for?
Paul "Fitz" Jones
Moderator - Emeritus
Lead and Kelp Answer
Kelp tablets are available at Drug stores, health food stores and some markets. They are nutritous and make you move faster, type faster and stay awake better. Some health food stores have a big book for customers to look up herbs and their uses. They do not know about removing lead though so don't confuse them.
Paul
Kelp tablets are available at Drug stores, health food stores and some markets. They are nutritous and make you move faster, type faster and stay awake better. Some health food stores have a big book for customers to look up herbs and their uses. They do not know about removing lead though so don't confuse them.
Paul
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