Lead Poisoning from Vapor in uncoated bullets?

[marklbucla]

I guess this is a bit of an offshoot of that lead chip in the skin issue.

I was at the range and saw an ad saying that shooting uncoated lead bullets can be dangerous because of the toxic lead vapor emmitted every time a round is shot. Is this cause for concern, or a made up marketing angle?

I'm just wondering if I should switch to something copper coated because the cost of ammo is nothing compared to the medical bills from developing lung cancer or whatever.

 

[jfh]

it's true all right--not too many years ago I read of a cop-shop instructor who DIED from working / running a poorly ventilated range. Ayoob has written about it, I know--seems to me it was in his neck of the woods--i.e., the NE.

I seriously doubt it's any sort of issue on an outdoor range, but an indoor one--well, the new ones have high-powered ventilation, at least the ones I've been to.

FWIW: this is my first post here--first gun forum I joined. An old fart, I own an arsenal like many others, am an (inactive) NRA instructor in five different areas, have been a summer camp firearms instructor / rangemaster, and am currently somewhat inactive due to time constraints running my own business. However, I do a lot of posting at the local Public Radio forums--here in MN, we've been fighting the good fight with the HLs on the carry issues...blah,blah blah.

At any rate, after looking the forum over, it looked like the right one for me to join. The posters I see here cover the gamut of gun nuts, and I like that. And, after I saw Oleg has his fingers in it, I had to. Were it not for a current big cash flow crunch, I'd have made him richer by now.

Jim H.

 

[jsalcedo]

Also wear rubber gloves while reloading lead bullets.

I know some indoor ranges only allow jacketed bullets because they cannot afford the needed ventilation.

 

[S_O_Laban]

Welcome to THR jfh and yes you have joined the "right one". Bye the way, new guys buy the ammo

 

[AZ Husker]

Yes, you will die from sniffing recycled wheel weights, just like from drinking beer or eating bacon & eggs. If you don't believe me, ask my 96-year-old Grandpa. He's downstairs making a new batch of home brew and heating up his lead pot. Just tell Grandma to run down and get him. She's only making breakfast.

 

[dinosaur]

It is a problem but usually for those who`s work requires being around lead. I know of at least one co worker who retired on disability for it. Terrible headaches.

We had blood tests every 6 months starting in 1986. In the indoor ranges we had to wear respirator masks to clean the backstops.

If you reload I`d suggest wearing a mask. If rubber gloves interfere wash your hands starting with cold water. Treat it like any other low level toxin.

 

[jfh]

thanks for the welcome, S_O_.

Elaborating a bit more--I think there's little doubt about the hazards of lead in the air--and maybe, if I can get my reloading niche up soon, I'll even consider wearing gloves. I've got about 25K of various lead bullets, a range of Lee (yeah, I know, cheap, but I used to do 400-500 rounds/hr of 45ACP) loading gear. For a few years I shot about 12K rounds a year, mostly in .45ACP--mostly 185s in front of about 5.0 of 231, I think--enough to make major, anyway, back then (late eighties/early nineties).

I also am arguably the first guy in the country to blow up a Glock 20--certainly was in the first in MN. Less than 300 rounds, but first 250 on factory JTCs--then on the second magazine of handloads, the slide went by my head--split in the chamber and lower barrel. I KNOW it was not a double-charge, but what can you say? It was exciting; I ended up with a blood blister on my right index finger, and it was sprained.

The slide was twisted like you can't believe; the body appears unharmed. Winchester took a look and sent me a CYA letter. Glock said "gee, that's too bad" and didn't ask if I had been injured. Don't own Glocks anymore--and don't tell me polygonal (term?) is OK for lead bullets. The load wasn't hot, either--a 180 gr. LTC in front of about 5.0 grains of 231.

Enough war story; just spreading my scent, as it were.

Jim H.

 

[NukemJim]

Hello,
I am a little confused ( Nothing new in that ) In converstation with range owners I was given to understand that the greatest exposure to lead when firing lead bullets was the lead styphanate ( SP?) used in the primers, that the lead was not readily absorbed through intact skin and hand/facewashing post shooting would greatly reduce the exposure from the bullets but that the lead from the primer was vaporized and absorbed through the lungs.

I have noticed that the "clean" ammo brands use baium styphanate(SP?) for hte primers.

I do NOT know.

Any one with more knowledge please jump in.

NukemJim

 

[jsalcedo]

I've never heard of lead in primers. Is it in the compound or the anvil?

The reason I wear gloves when loading lead bullets is in case my eye itches
or I have the urge to ponder something and put my hand near my mouth.

The big yellow gloves with the blackened fingers kind of makes you think twice about touching important body parts with lead while in then process of reloading.

 

[TonyB]

in my IDPA club we only shoot Winclean or the like while indoors in the winter,and Winclean or hollowpoints or Total metal jacket,for just this reason.The head guy of our club said a couple of years ago his lead level was wicked high from shooting indoors w/ lead.I'm not too worried about it but maybe I should be.Like bacon and eggs ,some people can eat them for 90 years w/ no problem,but some else will die of a heart attack at 35.I guess it's just a gamble......

 

[Navy joe]

Lead stypthanate is the priming compound. As far as bullets, lead are not the only hazard, many FMJ like 230gr .45 have an exposed lead base. On firing a little of this can burn and become airborne. The only solution is non-toxic primers which as I understand don't have great shelf life and TMJ or non lead bullets. Wash your hands, use good ventilation and never clean a range without a respirator, coveralls and gloves. Other than that, don't worry about it.

 

[45King]

The biggest hazzard of lead on indoor ranges does indeed come from lead styphanate in the priming compound. Several of the companies who make both ammo and primers are beginning to use primers without lead compounds. I would imagine that within 5 years, non-lead primers from all the major manufacturers will be readily available.

I only shoot Rainier bullets, and they have a copper coating which leaves NO lead exposed. Of course, when they hit a hard backstop, the lead will then become exposed because the copper is a plating and not a true drawn copper jacket.

 

[C.R.Sam]

Welcome jfh. Always room around the pickle barrel.

Lead;
Agree that the majority of aerosol lead is generated by the primers.

Also have been told that organic lead (styphanate *), is more harmful to the body than metallic lead.

Ergo, double whammy from fired primers; aerosol and organic lead. Lookin for lungs, eyes, mucous etc.

The manufacturers spent a lot of years looking for a priming compound to replace the old mercuric. Lead styphanate is marginal for the job but economically feasable. One of the reasons that Match ammo stayed with mercuric primers for so long was better consistancy of ignition.

Primer is tiny but rather involved. And we demand that it go bang with the same flame and pressure every time; while also demanding that it be inexpensive.

Anyhoo.....we should be wary when workin around any contaminant that can be inhaled or sticks to the body. Whether gun fun residue or dried chicken poop.

*...somebody will likely get it spelled right, maby.

Sam

 

[Mike Irwin]

For most shooters it would probably take years of hitting your local range to accumulate any amount of lead.

Of far greater concern is home casting in an unventilated area.