ReloaderFred
Member
Cameron,
Our comments weren't directed specifically at you. They were comments on the hysteria and hype surrounding the issue and the fact that some people immediately buy into it without doing their homework or having any long term experience with the subject. It seems to us old timers that in these times of the internet, and instant communication, there is a trend to believe everything posted, whether it's true or not. Most times it's posted by an anonymous person who is hiding behind an alias, and has absolutely no expertise whatsoever, but likes to see their writings on the screen. Those of us who have been at this awhile, long before there was an internet, know differently and don't buy into the hype. In my case, my beliefs are not only based on my experience, but a long term study of the science involved.
Can lead exposure hurt you? Of course it can, but not from the small amount of exposure involved in reloading, as long as simple precautions are taken. We've listed those in the above posts, but to reiterate; wash your hands, don't put your fingers in your mouth or nose, don't smoke while handling lead, and don't eat while handling it, until you've washed your hands. A soap high in phosphates is best, but any washing with soap and water will usually take care of it.
Additionally, solid lead can't be absorbed epidermally. It has to be ingested, so getting lead on your hands isn't going to cause it to seep through your skin.
Your concern about breathing dust is valid, but not just because of lead, most of which is in the form of lead styphnate from the priming compound. Dust in general is hard on the lungs, if exposed over a long period of time. Black lung, the coal miners' disease, is a good example. In fact, most of the hard rock miners ended up with some type of lung problem from breathing dust constantly in those confined spaces. Smoking is worse for your lungs than lead is, anyway, if the simple precautions are taken when handling lead.
I've seen postings on these forums where some have stated they won't load ammunition without wearing latex gloves and then disposing of the gloves immediately after. They basically treat the gloves as hazmat material, which is hogwash, along with wearing a dust mask while loading. None of those things are necessary, believe me.
I've toured both the Sierra and Nosler plants on several occasions, and they don't do those things in either plant, and they're inspected constantly by OSHA, both state and federal. There is lead and copper all over those plants and it's being worked 24 hours a day to keep up with the demands for bullets.
I have three tumblers in my shop, and they're running most of the time. They all three have lids on them and I use the Berry's media separator I gave you the link to. If you decide to purchase it, I think that will take care of your concerns about dust, though even with it, there will be a small amount of spillage of media, but not nearly what you are now experiencing.
Hope this helps.
Fred
Our comments weren't directed specifically at you. They were comments on the hysteria and hype surrounding the issue and the fact that some people immediately buy into it without doing their homework or having any long term experience with the subject. It seems to us old timers that in these times of the internet, and instant communication, there is a trend to believe everything posted, whether it's true or not. Most times it's posted by an anonymous person who is hiding behind an alias, and has absolutely no expertise whatsoever, but likes to see their writings on the screen. Those of us who have been at this awhile, long before there was an internet, know differently and don't buy into the hype. In my case, my beliefs are not only based on my experience, but a long term study of the science involved.
Can lead exposure hurt you? Of course it can, but not from the small amount of exposure involved in reloading, as long as simple precautions are taken. We've listed those in the above posts, but to reiterate; wash your hands, don't put your fingers in your mouth or nose, don't smoke while handling lead, and don't eat while handling it, until you've washed your hands. A soap high in phosphates is best, but any washing with soap and water will usually take care of it.
Additionally, solid lead can't be absorbed epidermally. It has to be ingested, so getting lead on your hands isn't going to cause it to seep through your skin.
Your concern about breathing dust is valid, but not just because of lead, most of which is in the form of lead styphnate from the priming compound. Dust in general is hard on the lungs, if exposed over a long period of time. Black lung, the coal miners' disease, is a good example. In fact, most of the hard rock miners ended up with some type of lung problem from breathing dust constantly in those confined spaces. Smoking is worse for your lungs than lead is, anyway, if the simple precautions are taken when handling lead.
I've seen postings on these forums where some have stated they won't load ammunition without wearing latex gloves and then disposing of the gloves immediately after. They basically treat the gloves as hazmat material, which is hogwash, along with wearing a dust mask while loading. None of those things are necessary, believe me.
I've toured both the Sierra and Nosler plants on several occasions, and they don't do those things in either plant, and they're inspected constantly by OSHA, both state and federal. There is lead and copper all over those plants and it's being worked 24 hours a day to keep up with the demands for bullets.
I have three tumblers in my shop, and they're running most of the time. They all three have lids on them and I use the Berry's media separator I gave you the link to. If you decide to purchase it, I think that will take care of your concerns about dust, though even with it, there will be a small amount of spillage of media, but not nearly what you are now experiencing.
Hope this helps.
Fred
