Lead in reloading/much ado about nothing

[Sharps Shooter]

That hardly seems fair Bushmaster. I've been a pipe smoker for better than half of my 57 years. If I get cancer shouldn't I be able to blame the tobacco companies? Other smokers have blamed them and won in court. Am I to take responsibility for my own bad habits like smoking, not wearing my seatbelt, or casting bullets without adequate ventilation? Just kidding of course. But I do think it would be absurd to make decisions which could potentially affect my health and/or well being based upon anecdotal evidence read on an internet message board. That WOULD demonstrate a lack of personal responsibility.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Sharps Shooter...One of the things that I promised myself was that I would not be a reformed smoker...I would not preach to other people that chose to smoke. I make a point to stand up wind of my friends that still smoke and am not judgemental of them. I do object to a smoker that aproaches up wind of me if I can't get up wind of him for what ever reason. I knew that tobacco caused cancer when I was 20 (around 1960-61). That is when they determined that it was more then a bad habit. Anyone that still smokes must know also or they have their head in a bucket of sand. However. I don't believe that lead contamination is that much of a problem for mature adults. Yes...Proper care must be taken such as don't lick your fingers after handling lead. Hummm...Isn't that the same as after you wipe your a$$???

Yup...You should be responsible for where you put your feet or lungs. I am not your keeper or brother so smoke on...Like I said above. I DO miss my pipes.

And I do hope you understand this is all in fun. I did get a chuckle out of your posting.

 

[Jet22]

Tumbling

Back to the original post: From what I understand its not casting indoors, its tumbling indoors thats dangerious. You turn all the smeared lead from inside the case and the primer residue in the primer pocket to dust then release it into the air when you sift your shells. Don't breath that stuff! Do it outside!!

 

[ajkurp]

I used to make the jokes about lead poisoning, too.

I had a friend that made a business about casting bass jigs from lead. He ran the business and store. His wife mostly did the actual casting. She began suffering from mental lapses and muscle tremors. Damn near died. From lead poisoning. The fumes from the casting pot.

That was the first time I ever heard of real lead poisoning, and soon it was ancient history with me. An anomaly.

A couple of years ago, my high school aged daughter was building a herd of dairy cattle. I left a truck battery out near the burn barrel next to a fence and forgot to pick it up. Weeds and grass grew up around it and eventually turned brown. The next summer the grass burned, exposing the battery plates.

Now I don't know if you have ever tasted sulfuric acid, but it tastes sweet.

 

[ajkurp]

cont

The cattle injested the lead plates- they are soft and probably seemed like chewing gum to her herd. Four of her six cattle died a terrible death.

Mental confusion, muscle tremors, blindness and a lingering death. A seriously ugly way to die. Took weeks to die, one at a time while we tried to find out why.

Chelation with Calcium EDTA is a workable and specific antidote, and saved one of her animals. Well, now that I have more personal experience with lead poisoning, I don't laugh at it anymore.

I still reload. Even with non jacketed bullets without gloves. Although I am careful to wash my hands before smoking or eating afterward.

Some heartfelt advice: Take lead poisoning seriously. Cast only with good ventilation. Take precautions to avoid injesting lead.
Kindest regards and good shooting!

 

[Linear Thinker]

Folks, please take this matter seriously.

In my state (Connecticut) the blood labs are required to report to the State Health Dept. blood test results with elevated lead level. One of the range officers at my indoor range had a lead level of 35 ug/dl, which prompted a visit from the state to our range. They took air samples, etc. They were not adversarial, but recommended upgrading our ventilation system, which we promptly did.

I spend a lot of time at the range, shooting and running matches, so I had my blood tested - lead level was 9 ug/dl. The State Health Dept. fellow told me that the OSHA standard for lead is up to 10 ug/dl for non-occupational exposure, and 40 ug/dl for workers exposed to lead at work. They also told me that in reality, there is no safe lead level in your system. My doctor confirmed that.

I immediately stopped casting bullets, and stopped using lead bullets altogether. For pistol calibers, I now get copper plated bullets, usually Rainier.

Call me paranoid, but the few dollars saved by using lead are just not worth it.

LT

P.S. Paranoids live longer

 

[The Bushmaster]

No they don't!!! At any rate they don't have as much fun...