cracked butt
Member
I work with toxic chemicals every day. My hobbies are the least of my worries.
are you worried about getting cancer from shooting, cleaning guns, reloading?
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kingpin008
Member
When I first started hearing about lead levels in indoor ranges, and when handling/cleaning guns, working with ammo, etc I got a little paranoid. Hell, I'm still a little paranoid, but it hasn't stopped me from shooting how I want to, when I want to. I make sure to wash my hands after I'm done shooting, I change at least my shirt once I get home, and I keep a bottle of orange juice or a roll of vitamin C drops in my car for a snack on my way home. (I've heard that vitamin C is a good chelating agent)
Other that that, game on.
P.S. I smoked for...right around 13 years before quitting last year, and I figure that the crap I was inhaling everyday smoking those things has gotta be more of a strain on my body then what I inhale during my 2 hours on the range every week or so.
Other that that, game on.
P.S. I smoked for...right around 13 years before quitting last year, and I figure that the crap I was inhaling everyday smoking those things has gotta be more of a strain on my body then what I inhale during my 2 hours on the range every week or so.
Hmmm... Whenever someone posts something about getting a cheap gun for CCW/HD, folks come out of the woodwork to point out that "life is all we have" and it's "the most valuable thing possible." Now on a topic where being super-careful wouldn't support being around guns as much, those people are nowhere to be found. Interesting 
Personally, I'm also careful, but not overly so. I wear gloves while cleaning and wash my hands after shooting, but I don't worry about it too much either.
Personally, I'm also careful, but not overly so. I wear gloves while cleaning and wash my hands after shooting, but I don't worry about it too much either.
Scorpiusdeus
member
Life causes death, deal with it.
209
Member
Most lead contamination you get is from shooting in poorly-vented indoor ranges. But, you can also get it from shooting on an outdoor range and doing anything with lead bullets indoors- i.e. casting, reloading , etc. As to the actual risk involved in any of those activities, I wouldn't hazard a guess.
Attached is a link to one instructor's views on the subject:
http://www.utexas.edu/safety/ehs/msds/lead.html
Due to OSHA regs and such, I have adopted several measures when I run a range. I use an indoor range only if it's a extreme necessity. But even at my outdoor ranges, I do the following:
It may be overkill, but we have at least two firearms instructors in the state (that I know of) who have a level over 60 mcg/dl and have either been put out on disability or Worker's Comp. I know of three others that aren't firearms instructors anymore due to the levels in their system. I will grant you that all of them were using indoor ranges most of the time, but once again, given OSHA and the various liability issues involved, a person running a range should be careful.
I know for a fact my levels went up. After learning about this issue during my first instructor certification course, I went to the doctor and had my blood tested. I was down in the low teens. Shortly thereafter, I embraced the whole firearms instructor concept and started shooting several times a week. After all, as an instructor, one MUST be the greatest shot in the world!
Not true, but ....
I did most of my shooting at several indoor ranges and found out a mere 2 years later that my levels had jumped up to the high 30's. I stopped going to those ranges.
My rather unscientific rules are:
I'll now end this and post another reply that should counter everything I just said.
Attached is a link to one instructor's views on the subject:
http://www.utexas.edu/safety/ehs/msds/lead.html
Due to OSHA regs and such, I have adopted several measures when I run a range. I use an indoor range only if it's a extreme necessity. But even at my outdoor ranges, I do the following:
- I have warm water and soap and paper towels available for the shooters. Wash your hands and face and any other exposed skin.
- I have a bucket and brush so they can wash the bottom of their footwear before they climb in their car (or worse, the cruiser they drove to the range that I drive while at work).
- I highly suggest they bring a change of outer clothes and change before they get in their car. Likewise, I strongly urge them to bring an extra pair of footwear to change into prior to climbing into the family mini-van.
- I tell them to wash the clothes they wore separate from any other clothes. That's the same thing I tell them after any kind of exposure to OC spray.
It may be overkill, but we have at least two firearms instructors in the state (that I know of) who have a level over 60 mcg/dl and have either been put out on disability or Worker's Comp. I know of three others that aren't firearms instructors anymore due to the levels in their system. I will grant you that all of them were using indoor ranges most of the time, but once again, given OSHA and the various liability issues involved, a person running a range should be careful.
I know for a fact my levels went up. After learning about this issue during my first instructor certification course, I went to the doctor and had my blood tested. I was down in the low teens. Shortly thereafter, I embraced the whole firearms instructor concept and started shooting several times a week. After all, as an instructor, one MUST be the greatest shot in the world!
Not true, but ....I did most of my shooting at several indoor ranges and found out a mere 2 years later that my levels had jumped up to the high 30's. I stopped going to those ranges.
My rather unscientific rules are:
- If you are shooting, and you get a kind of sweet taste in your mouth- you're ingesting lead. (Others may poo-poo that, but hey, it's my rule-of-thumb... and I'm sticking to it.)
- If you aren't washing after shooting and sitting down and eating a burger, you're probably ingesting lead.
- If you handle things that you put in your mouth during the period you're shooting, you are probably transferring lead to your mouth. I use cigarettes, cigars, and "dip" as an example. I am a smoker. After finishing a relay, I step off the line and shove a cigarette in my mouth, I am probably putting lead in there also. Of course, the cigarettes are probably going to kill me before the lead does, but... it doesn't mean I'm still not compounding the problem by eating lead.
I'll now end this and post another reply that should counter everything I just said.
Essex County
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I can't make any connection to firearms to my cancer, no mater how hard I try. Boy I'd like to blame it on somebody or something. It must be someone elses fault. Maybe I should call a bottomfeeding Attorney. He'll get to the bottom of this...............Boy America has changed. Essex
209
Member
Now, the counter:
I have several other rules, but you have to understand:
So, why did I show a low level of lead up to shooting consistently in in-door ranges for several years just recently? I had obviously been exposed to lead a lot in my youth.
I don't have an answer. I do remember playing with mercury when I was younger. We had a bottle of it in the basement and we played with it for hours on end. My mercury level isn't all that high.
Go figure.
As far as shooting goes- if I start to taste that sweet taste, I get a bit worried.
When I go home and snort water into my nose and blow back a bunch of black crud, I still to think I'm sucking up something I shouldn't.
But, I still shoot.
I have several other rules, but you have to understand:
- Way back, a long, long time ago, I shot .22 cal rifles in high school as a school rifle team member. Nobody thought anything about it. I'd shoot everyday. My fingers would be black from handling those .22 rounds. We just figured our fingers were black and didn't take it much further than that.
- After that, I did the normal hunting and joined the military and shot more than most people in the service ever had a chance to.
- After getting out of the service, I reloaded for a time. We used to cast bullets in the kitchen. Never really thought about it.
- I molded lead soldiers in my basement as a kid. I had this neat little funance and mold set-up. Then, I'd paint them. It was cool.
- I shot black powder fairly often for about three years and was always handling lead balls. I can't say I always cleaned my hands between shoots.
- I worked in the electronics field (70's) for about three years and was constantly holding a small piece of solder in my mouth so I could grab it as needed when re-soldering something. I did the same thing on many plumbing jobs I completed as a homeowner and assisting friends with their plumbing jobs.
So, why did I show a low level of lead up to shooting consistently in in-door ranges for several years just recently? I had obviously been exposed to lead a lot in my youth.
I don't have an answer. I do remember playing with mercury when I was younger. We had a bottle of it in the basement and we played with it for hours on end. My mercury level isn't all that high.
Go figure.
As far as shooting goes- if I start to taste that sweet taste, I get a bit worried.
When I go home and snort water into my nose and blow back a bunch of black crud, I still to think I'm sucking up something I shouldn't.
But, I still shoot.
Gaucho Gringo
Member
Maybe someone should alert the fishermen about lead poisoning. All those years of handling lead fishing weights should about equal shooting lead out of a gun, but I have never heard a peep about that from the angling crowd. I remember putting lead split shot on my line using my teeth. Not too smart looking back at it now but everybody used to do it.
209
Member
Good point!
How many of us fished and used to crimp the sinkers onto the line by biting them?
I know I did.
That's the whole issue here. Is there more lead in the environment these days and we're ingesting it from other sources, or are we just more aware of it?
How many of us fished and used to crimp the sinkers onto the line by biting them?
I know I did.
That's the whole issue here. Is there more lead in the environment these days and we're ingesting it from other sources, or are we just more aware of it?
Guitargod1985
Member
I often smoke cigarettes while skeet shooting at the outdoor range. It's not really the healthiest thing to do, but at least I've cut back on my smoking from a pack and a half a day to about five cigarettes. I'm probably not as concerned about lead exposure as I should be, but then again, I'm exposed to all sorts of nasty things at work. I work around (and no doubt inhale) PVC, insulation, drywall, concrete, etc. Perhaps in a couple of decades some of us will be lying in hospital beds next to each other, although I hope not.
Rich K
Member
No.
I am mindful of anything that could hurt me be it a criminal, overreaching government, or solvents and lead from shooting. I take appropriate measures to reduce the risk of all of them.
I still live my life and have fun, but I mitigate risks where I reasonably can.
I still live my life and have fun, but I mitigate risks where I reasonably can.
“i have eaten some lead.”
“crimp the sinkers onto the line by biting them”
Metallic lead is not a particular hazard when ingested unless it is a powder.
All a pellet does is pass on through.
“…big ole barrel of latex gloves that I wear when dealing with solvents.”
Latex is pretty useless against solvents, and trapping it between the glove and your skin is probably increasing your exposure over bare hands. At least then it could freely evaporate.
Nitril gloves are better against some of the solvents use in gun cleaning, but not all.
“crimp the sinkers onto the line by biting them”
Metallic lead is not a particular hazard when ingested unless it is a powder.
All a pellet does is pass on through.
“…big ole barrel of latex gloves that I wear when dealing with solvents.”
Latex is pretty useless against solvents, and trapping it between the glove and your skin is probably increasing your exposure over bare hands. At least then it could freely evaporate.
Nitril gloves are better against some of the solvents use in gun cleaning, but not all.
leadcounsel
member
I try to wear rubber/latex gloves when I clean my guns and try to shoot in well ventilated ranges.
joe4702
Member
No, but I'm worried about the government and antis stirring up a firestorm about supposed lead hazards so they can ban it.
joplinsks
Member
If you're worried about a little lead or gun solvent causing cancer, then consider the millions of folks who handle highly toxic chemicals on a daily basis that don't give it a second thought. Most of them don't even wash their hands before they eat 
For years I worked in the printing industry where splashing all kinds of solvents on everything, without any kind of protection, was common... and I'm still here.
About the only deaths from hazardous uses I've witnessed in my personal life are folks who apparently died from asbestos exposure... and it seems those folks are always heavy chain smokers, so I figure it's hard to blame asbestos for their deaths.
I've known young folks in their teens and twenties in perfect physical shape, living very healthy lives, who developed lung and skin cancer for no apparent reason. You just gotta do what you can and live life to the fullest until your time comes.
For years I worked in the printing industry where splashing all kinds of solvents on everything, without any kind of protection, was common... and I'm still here.
About the only deaths from hazardous uses I've witnessed in my personal life are folks who apparently died from asbestos exposure... and it seems those folks are always heavy chain smokers, so I figure it's hard to blame asbestos for their deaths.
I've known young folks in their teens and twenties in perfect physical shape, living very healthy lives, who developed lung and skin cancer for no apparent reason. You just gotta do what you can and live life to the fullest until your time comes.
xd9fan
Member
LOL
No
Lets play: even if lets say that one is absolutely going to get cancer by shooting, cleaning guns, reloading.
What would you want for your life (and your children)
slavery and longevity OR liberty and cancer?
its easy really
Live free or die (because if you dont...hint....your already dead)
JohnBT
Member
I'm worried. Worried one of my smokes is going to light up a bottle of cleaning fluid. Other than that, no. After 50 years of the stuff it's too late for me.
John
John
sm
member
No.
Not me personally.
I have been exposed to not only gun cleaning chemicals, also other chemicals and environments much worse since I was born in '55.
I respect those that have sensitives and concerns to chemicals, and other stimuli.
I knew 3 ladies, and buried 3 ladies that never smoked, never drank, ate well, and the whole bit.
Breast Cancer, and during chemo, became sensitive to all sorts of things, even perfumes, lotions, soaps...cooking smells and you name it.
Out of respect for them, the families and all, Ballistol was used quite a bit.
It is in the genes.
When its your turn to have a ticket punched, it gets punched.
Not me personally.
I have been exposed to not only gun cleaning chemicals, also other chemicals and environments much worse since I was born in '55.
I respect those that have sensitives and concerns to chemicals, and other stimuli.
I knew 3 ladies, and buried 3 ladies that never smoked, never drank, ate well, and the whole bit.
Breast Cancer, and during chemo, became sensitive to all sorts of things, even perfumes, lotions, soaps...cooking smells and you name it.
Out of respect for them, the families and all, Ballistol was used quite a bit.
It is in the genes.
When its your turn to have a ticket punched, it gets punched.
cracked junior
Member
im more worried about what the government will come up with next that causes cancer. i suppose the internet will cause it next. since computers probably contain something toxic or looking at the computer screen to closely will ruin my eyes.
i also never understood california and their labeling of solvents or other chemicals. on chemical labels. it always says is known to the state of califronia to cause cancer and birth defects.
so does that mean if i am outside of california i am ok to use it with no worries?
i also never understood california and their labeling of solvents or other chemicals. on chemical labels. it always says is known to the state of califronia to cause cancer and birth defects.
so does that mean if i am outside of california i am ok to use it with no worries?
.41 magnum man
Member
"How many of us fished and used to crimp the sinkers onto the line by biting them?"
I bit down on so many sinkers when I was younger, my teeth are lead capped! I might die of lead poisoning, but if there is a nuke attack, my teeth are safe!
I bit down on so many sinkers when I was younger, my teeth are lead capped! I might die of lead poisoning, but if there is a nuke attack, my teeth are safe!
coelacanth
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nah, not really. . . . .
something is gaining on your a$$ from the day you're born. Eventually it will catch up with you but until then enjoy life to the fullest.
something is gaining on your a$$ from the day you're born. Eventually it will catch up with you but until then enjoy life to the fullest.
Kevin108
Member
The sun and everything under it can cause cancer, it seems. I would think what you do with guns would be the least of it unless you do it chest deep for 8 hours a day for 30 years.
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