Should I get tested for lead poisoning?

This was discussed on Calguns.net. It seems like the people with a problem of >10 on their blood tests worked at or spent a lot of time at indoor ranges. I would guess they were poorly ventilated facilities as well.

You should know that those buffalo hunters of the 18th and 19th century usually put bare lead balls in their mouth when they are chasing and shooting. No doubt they swallow MUCH more lead than you did everyday. So don't worry about your health, your body is much tougher than you can imagine.

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Metallic lead is NOT a significant hazard.
You can eat the occasional piece of shot that ends up in game.

Lead POWDER can be a problem.
Its huge surface area by weight allows more of it to react.

Organic lead compounds can be a problem.
The most common lead in lead paint is lead acetate.
It was a drying agent and gloss improver.It was a drying agent and gloss improver.
Lead oxide went away as a pigment a long long time ago with the introduction of titanium oxides. One of the last uses of lead pigment was in 'red lead' for metal protection.

The lead styphnate in priming compound can be a source of organic active lead compounds from bad ventilation systems.

The guy sweeping the range floor is exposed to a lot of lead dust (finely divided lead powder) along with a witches brew of lead compounds from primers.

Using an open flame to melt lead produces lead vapor.
The flame temp is well over the boiling point.
Resist the urge to use a propane torch played over lead to speed up smelting and casting ingots.
The brief exposure of lead bullet bases to powder gas has the same issue.

brickeyee said:

Metallic lead is NOT a significant hazard.
You can eat the occasional piece of shot that ends up in game.
...

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I agree. Lead compounds are far more dangerous than metallic lead.
As I have worked in an analysis chemistry lab on pollution compound detection, I think I know how hazardous heavy metal compounds are. The most dangerous compound I have ever handled is dimethylmercury, or to say, Hg(CH3)2. A bare skin contact is enough to get yourself poisoned. And they told me it can even passing through thin rubber gloves! So you need a full set of protective gears from head to toe when handling it.
But lead compounds, especially inorganic compounds, are far less dangerous than that. So I'll say a good habit is helpful to your health in the long run, but don't need to be nerves when handling lead things.

Quote:
You should know that those buffalo hunters of the 18th and 19th century usually put bare lead balls in their mouth when they are chasing and shooting. No doubt they swallow MUCH more lead than you did everyday. So don't worry about your health, your body is much tougher than you can imagine.

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You do realize the average life span was only late 30's to early 40's back then...

Laphroaig said:

Male life expectancy in 1850 was 38.3 years

Laphroaig

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Both you and tarosean get a good point, but that's not what I mean. I just want to point out lead poisoning is a long term hazard, not an immediate threat by swallow something that *MAY* have a trace of lead in it.
And I think you know the lengthen of ave. human life mostly comes from medical improvement. Like to say, pneumonia is a deadly disease before 20th century, but now the death rate is lower than 1%.
That make me remember something I have read in Good Omen:
"Pestilence, muttering about penicillin, had retired in 1936."
Thank God I was born Looooonge after 1936.

Both you and tarosean get a good point, but that's not what I mean.

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I know what ya meant... Course I am one of those that's been chewing on sinkers for 40yrs or so....

tarosean said:

I know what ya meant... Course I am one of those that's been chewing on sinkers for 40yrs or so....

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Oh, maybe I'm a little too serious...
Sorry for that.

Jmorris has it right. Just get it checked when you have a physical or get lab tests every year or two. I reload all my pistol, rifle, and shotgun ammo except Rimfire and shoot 5-10K a year for the last 15 years. I usually wash up at the range afterward but not always. I had them check for lead at my last two physicals. Both showed less than 3. My understanding is no concern until you reach 10.

I have mine checked every year when I go for my normal blood tests as part of my regular doctor's visit. At one time I had my lead level peak at 12 that was when I was shooting a couple times a week on an indoor range with less than optimal ventilation and several other shooters on the line. Lead vapor generated from firing, or from a casting pot heated too high is the greatest concern, followed by the dust from cleaning brass. Last year I tested at 2.
Washing your hands after shooting or handling ammo is a good idea, and eating or smoking on the range is to be avoided.

The dangers of the average shooters exposure to lead is highly exaggerated. Mercury, while being a higher risk, is also blown way out of proportion.

I do every year when I have my physical. They are already drawing blood and it doesn't cost me any more.

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DingDingDing....winner.

The most dangerous compound I have ever handled is dimethylmercury, or to say, Hg(CH3)2. A bare skin contact is enough to get yourself poisoned.

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A bare skin exposure is enough to get you dead.
It is obsolete as a mass spec cal chemical after a very promising gal killed herself with a single drop.
And it takes a few days to die.

Unless you took three to the chest, you're going to be alright.


OK, to be concerned and ask the question though.

It took a year and a half of me working 40+hours per week on a poorly ventilated indoor range to have it even show up in the screening we did every 6 months. I rarely wore the mask I was supposed to wear. No one else did either.

As a health professional, yes, you should. We need and want your money.

Flintknapper said:

Unless you took three to the chest, you're going to be alright.
OK, to be concerned and ask the question though.

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^^^^^ Ding Ding Ding ^^^^^
Receives the "Best Answer Award"

I'm sure you ingested a small amount of lead. Certainly not enough to cause lasting effects.

I work as an Inspector for lead based paint and also supervise several EPA licensed contractors that work with lead. My level is 3mg/dl, which is pretty low and I'm around lead more than just about anybody.