Lead is a soft metal and our skin is permeable, so an exposure risk is present when handling bullets. Hardcast rounds are better for handling and tend to degrade slower, but the risk is still there. Firing the bullets can create lead dust and lead may be released when the bullet impacts the backstop. For most shooters, the largest risk may be the floor and ventilation systems of indoor shooting ranges. Some indoor ranges, even ones used by professional teams, have ventilation problems that result in the recirculation of contaminated air, which is then taken to the bloodstream directly by the lungs. Lead dust may be present on the ground of firing ranges, and then tracked back home on shoes, boots, and clothes. The main problem with lead is its tendency to turn into dust and to enter the body unseen. We still see lead poisoning cases today originating from contaminated soil near highways back when leaded gasoline was the norm.
There have been a few shooters on this board who came back from a random BLL (blood lead level) test and found out they were candidates for chelation therapy. Without knowing the specifics of the sources of lead you are working with, as well as your handling and shooting environment, it would be difficult for me to predict your exposure risks. I happen to be around infants quite a bit so I try to avoid the issue entirely.
The main idea between primary prevention of lead poisoning is to limit exposure at the source. Asking your doctor for a blood screen for lead would be a good place to start. Getting a test is inexpensive and the results should be back to you within a week or less - in some cases, instantaneously. If its high, then a re-evaluation of your shooting environment may be indicated. If its low, you're probably doing something right! On the other hand, since lead is so easily taken into bones and teeth, then released over periods of time back into the bloodstream, a second test after a few months might be a good idea.
Of course, shooting is not the only exposure risk. Houses built before 1978 often have lead paint in them and lead soldering on the plumbing, resulting in inhalation and consumption, respectively. Leaded crystal may be another source, as well as working with lead in an occupational setting, such as occurs frequently at autobodies, recycling plants, battery manufacturing, and a host of others.
My intent is not to demonize lead bullets entirely. I have quite a few copper plated lead hollowpoints in storage, as well as hardcast rounds. I also use an indoor shooting range. However, we should all be aware of the risks and take action if warranted.
Solutions for preventing lead poisoning and hearing loss at indoor firing ranges:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/blog/nsb051809_firingrange.html
NIOSH workplace safety and health topic: indoor ranges
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ranges/
CDC: Lead:
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/
Lead exposure from indoor firing ranges among students on shooting teams:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5423a1.htm
Just so i'm not entirely off topic here, in response to the OP, the Corbon 110 gr DPX JHP is a solid .38 special +p round. Mike at Corbon sent me a photograph of that round running at 1055 ft/s on a chronograph out of a sub 2" snub, the S&W 442 (the gold dot 135 gr short barrel +p round runs at 860 ft/s as published by speer). Additionally, the round was featured in a review of .38 special rounds by brassfetcher, where it tested reasonably well in comparison to the other rounds, although all the rounds tested poorly - perhaps due to the bone simulant testing materials (
http://www.brassfetcher.com/PDF/38 Special JHP performance through Bone Simulant plates.pdf)
Here is a personal pic of the 110 gr round (on the left) next to gold dots (right)
Both are fine rounds, although I really prefer something in .44 special or .357 magnum for urban carry.
Cheers,
-T