Lead in reloading/much ado about nothing

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fecmech

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I've read numerous posts on various boards of guys afraid to cast bullets without a respirator or handle lead bullets without latex gloves so I thought I'd get my lead level checked.
Just to give some background for my self. I'm 62 years old, been casting and reloading both pistol and shotgun since 1969 indoors without a vent fan or respirator. Casting done in a shop with a high ceiling and lead smelting of wheel weights and junk with good ventilation. I have probably done at least couple tons of lead and reloaded well over 200krds in that time. I shot on indoor pistol ranges for a few years (PPC and Bullseye) where everyone used lead bullets. I grew up in homes with nothing but lead paint, my parents smoked (a source of lead I'm told) as did I for a time. When I was a kid I washed the oily parts of my bike with leaded gas and as a teenager with a car did the same to car parts. I have copper plumbing in my house with soldered joints (last 37 years). Up until about 10 years ago I took no special precautions and today all I do is make sure I wash my hands after handling lead.
I got my results back last week and my lead level is 13ug/dl (micrograms per deciliter) and the acceptable range for adults is 0-25ug. I realize lead in children is a problem but I think as long as you don't eat lead paint chips and wash your hands after handling lead you will be ok. My 2 cents Nick
 
Good post Nick.

Maybe the whole idea of lead contamination is over-dramatized by some, but gloves make cleaning up easier, and some folks may not have the same constitution as those who are able to eliminate lead easily.

I get the drift of your comments tho', no use in getting OC about protection, just don't be stupid.

Good advice, for sure.

Can I have your brass when you croak ? :D

BigSlick
 
Thanks for sharing fecmech. There are also posts describing elevated lead levels with less exposure than yourself. Did you have a cbc done? What was your hgb/hct?

I had an aunt who smoked 2 packs per day for over 50 years, she died after breaking her hip in a fall.
 
Good thread. I've felt that way all along. If an individual truly has elevated levels of lead in the bloodstream (from guns), it's cause he's just been shot!

I actually read posters who were so paranoid about lead poisoning that they were going to the range wearing, a) rubber gloves, b) respirator, and c) coveralls (which they would promptly discard/wash).

If it's that dangerous, take up stamp collecting!
 
"Did you have a cbc done? What was your hgb/hct?"

Helpwanted--Not that I'm aware of . I don't intend to get any more tests done. The blood test for the lead came back ok and thats it for me, I just did it on a lark anyway. Nick
 
Hey Pinned: I'm one of the respirator wearing individuals. My lead levels bounced off of 34 at one point. Do what you feel you need to do to stay safe and I'll do the same. :)
 
A lot of people, having never taken any chemistry or else "missing that day in school," ....so desperate is the situation regarding science education, don't understand the difference between working with lead as a metal or in a metal alloy, and lead as part of a compound, the other elements of which make the lead readily absorbed into human tissues. Maybe it's asking too much in these decadent times.
Anyway, the tetraethyl lead in gasoline is a real threat, while casting lead bullets is not. Lead incorporated into the compounds in paint is potentially dangerous, while you could cast fishing sinkers from now until doomsday and not reach dangerous levels of lead.
I cast lead in a well-ventilated space for 20 years, but took no other special precautions (other than a set of welder's gloves to keep from burning my hands), and am not particularly concerned.
 
Lead fumes absorber

As if I didn't have enough hobbies, I also work with stained glass. In one mode of operation, foiled glass, a whole lot of soldering is done. Since you have to be close to your work, lead fumes and fumes from the flux is a concern. The stained glass suppliers sell a small box fan (about 5 inches square) that is placed close to your work spot and it pulls the fumes through a charcoal filter. If you are really concerned, that is another option to avoid wearing a respirator. Those things always made me claustrophobic - and I used to have to wear them once in a while at work.
 
I think it's wiser to base your opinions on reputable sources such as emedicine rather than a few anecdotes which smell of denial: "Some hobbies are associated with exposures to lead. These hobbies may include making bullets, making fishing-weights, soldering, indoor firearm shooting, and remodeling older homes."
 
Boy...I'll tell ya...I sure am glad that I load only jacketed bullets and am an Outdoorsman....And that includes ranges....IMnotsoHO indoor ranges are the last place you will catch me...!!!
 
If an individual truly has elevated levels of lead in the bloodstream (from guns), it's cause he's just been shot!
Click to expand...
Actually, no.

According to Pathologist (like, and MD who studied dead guys) Vincent DeMaio in his treatise _Gunshot Wounds_, the only place in the body where elemental lead gets dissolved is the fluid inside your joints. Synovial fluid? Heck, I've forgotten SOOO MUCH over the years. :eek:

Otherwise, lead compounds, such as "oxidized" or "salts" going in the GI tract are what get it in the bloodstream. IIRC, primer residues do that, while the super-fine vaporization of leaded bullets escaping the barrel and to a lesser degree vapors from lead smelting can less effectively be absorbed through the nasal tissues, trach, bronchi and lungs.

Also IIRC, people spending 8-hour shifts soldering and breathing in those rosin fumes mixed with lead/tin vapors were shown to get dangerously elevated blood levels of lead over periods of years.

How light or heavy is your exposure? Caution, not paranoia, should be the rule. Ventilate (30CFM drawn from the firing point to the impact area for indoor ranges--PER firing point) if shooting indoors, don't sniff the flux fumes when casting, don't smoke or eat while shooting or casting, and wash your hands well when you transition from handling lead to the rest of the day's/night's activities.
 
Im a building Tradesman (Union Sprinklerfitter), and every winter I watch as numerous "cauldrons" of pure lead are cooked/melted, indoors by plumbers, with no ventilation. (We stay near them to keep warm while working). Funny thing is, Ive never seen, or heard of anyone having health problems related to the "lead exposure". I think its alot of milarky.
 
Atta-boy kid...Step out there!...I am inclined to agree with you. I believe that it is in most cases, such as reloading, A lot to do about nothing.
 
I asked my dad once (50 year retired In-organic chemist specializing in the rare earth's) about lead and he said basically keep it away from the kids. Avoid breathing the fumes if melted, keep the white powder (oxidation) off your hands if they get old, and finally wash your hands after handling the stuff. Other than that, not much to worry about.

I remember as kids he used to help us cast lead soldiers on the kitchen stove. I doubt if he was worried about it, he would let us do that.
 
I never take what the government puts out seriously.

Back in 81 when I took basic training, it was ok to smoke, in fact if you didn't you were required to stick your ink pen in your mouth and pretend you were. It was cool with the government then but now you are looked dow upon as if you were a leper. If the government can find a way to make money off something they say is bad, then they will do it at any cost.

I was a munitions systems specialist in the Air Force and we were told that the Depleted Uranium shells were safe to handle, "Hell Sarge that microwave there gives you more radiation than that D U will" Well now they find out that the stuff that was shot up in Gulf 1 has 18,000 times more radiation than the background and they wonder why we have Gulf War Syndrome.

Go Figure!!

_________________________________________________________________

USAF AMMO - We Live So Others May Die!
 
Lead Poisoning

Umm my fathher-in-law carried some of Germany's best lead around in his leg and neck for the better part of 53 years. Died at 86, some 56 years after those Krauts did, who put the lead there in the first place. Maybe it was the lead that finally got the old soldier but I rather suspect it had more to do with the fact he was 86. Anyone out there wants to guarantee me an age of 86 I'll take it! ;) Been casting now for 30 years and my lead levels are normal. I suspect those of you living in large cities breath more lead in walking out to your cars after work than you will ever get casting. Just a guess on my part.



Stay Safe
 
Nothing like getting potentially life-threatening information from the best sources available! Now let's hear from all you cig smokers who don't have lung cancer.......yet.
 
O K Rockstar...started smoking (or was caught by my mother) when I was 16. Stopped smoking when I was 58. I'm now almost (dec) 63. Cancer free. Let's see...That's around 47 years behind a cigarette and a pipe (which I miss Most of all). When I reach 100 I will take up my pipes again and when I die, they will blame smoking... :neener: Don't blame smoking or any other bad habit...Blame the person instead...By the way. Rockstar...What bad habit do you have... :neener:
 
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