Reloading and Pregnant Women

[Bear2000]

A few weeks ago we learned that my wife is pregnant, which has led me to take still more precautions when reloading. My reloading set-up is in a 6 x 12 mudroom where we also keep our bikes (we're avid cyclists). It's not terribly well ventilated, but not stifling either, and with the window open gets plenty of air. I do my tumbling outside, keep all my used shells, tumbled or otherwise, in ziplock bags or closed containers, and clean the surfaces of the bench and press after each session.

My wife does use the room occasionally. She keeps her cycling gear there and sometimes cleans the cat litter box (which I now usually do).

Are there any other precautions I should take? What should Should she just stay out of there altogether? And can you recommend a good led testing kit so I can check the area?

I'm attaching some pictures of my reloading area. (The tumbler is kept on top of the cubbies)

Thanks for your help!

 

[Fly320s]

I doubt that either you or your wife get exposed to enough lead particulate for it to be a health concern for either of you.

You are doing everything that you need to do already. Washing your hands and avoiding eating or drinking while reloading are the biggest safeguards.

 

[phil218b]

After paying particular attention to the photos you supplied, in my opinion, with a child on the way all precautions should be of utmost importance, you describe what you do for preventative measures and that seems to be sufficent. But I have reservations on how much of this is true, it would seem to me if you were faithful in your attempt to keep your reloading area safe for your expectant wife, and keep the enviorment safe for your future child, then you should load all your reloading gear into boxes and give it to goodwill, or you could just empty the cat litter box! Other than that pile in the box I think you are doing a very sufficent job.

 

[Bear2000]

Yes, it needs emptying. He's quite a little producer, our cat!

I do keep the place clean, although I'm now making a check-list of things to remember to do, for example changing my clothes when finished reloading. I also put the tumbler in a plastic bag. And I plan on testing the space for lead this week just to make sure my efforts are yielding the intended results.

 

[The Bushmaster]

I bet that litter box will be the curiosity for that new creepy-crawly curtain climber. Congrats on the future reloader...

Your lead prevention is more then sufficent...

 

[Bear2000]

Thanks, Bushmaster, for the vote of confidence, and the congrats. I'm looking forward to giving him or her the .22 Stevens "Crackshot" that my father gave me when I was a kid.

 

[scrat]

hey congrats. i would not be too concerned either about the lead exposure. sounds like on the reloading process you have it pretty well handled. the bench should be a work in process. The child is not going to born running around. you still have time to sort things out and come up with some more shelving or other alternatives.

 

[Soybomb]

It sounds like you're taking good precuations right now with tumbling outside and the like.

 

[rcmodel]

My two sons grew up crawling around in the dust & spent primers, and helping me reload & cast bullets.

One now owns his own very successful IT company, and the other is a CNC machinist for a large manufacture of power transmission products.

My 4 grandkids have all their fingers & toes, and appear to be at least normally intelligent for their ages.

I'd hate to see how my sons turned out if they hadn't been exposed to shooting & reloading their whole life!

IMHO: You worry too much!
The cat poop is way more dangerous!

rcmodel

 

[mek42]

My brain is telling me that it read something somewhere once about how cat fecal material really is possibly dangerous for pregnant women. Google shows that what I am thinking of is Toxoplasmosis, a parasite. Do your own research on this, but it seems to be low risk, and near zero risk if you empty the litter box for her. If I recall correctly, this is a very serious issue if it happens.

If you don't already, maybe invest in some deleading soap to wash up with afterwards.

Good luck with everything!

 

[snuffy]

Can lead pass through a placenta to a developing fetus? I don't know, but you should check this out. If it can, then the precautions you are taking seem adequate. Since you didn't state that you are loading lead boolits, your worst source of readily absorbable lead is primer residue. Metallic lead from the exposed base of a FMJ bullet is very difficult to absorb even if ingested. Simply washing your hands will rid you of that.

Being forewarned and prepared are a good thing. But needless worry will decrease your enjoyment of the upcoming event. Oh and congrats!

 

[jenrob]

I have a 4yr old girl and she turnd out great. We have one due in Oct. and still live life normal.

I don't come staight in and change my clothes and my wife still comes out while I'm reloading.

I don't dump my tumbler while they are around.

As for the cat liter yes it has been known to cause problems but not often. We have somewheres around 7 cats down from 13 after we feed the coyotes and mtn lions.

Congrats on the new helper.

 

[EBRDude]

Also watch for contact with large amounts of powder. It contains Nitroglycerin, which will cause vasodialation. I have never heard of any risks thereof, but it always pays to be safe.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Of course you could raise him/her in a glass container and filter all air, food and water going into that glass container... I would be more worried about the other people of this world then a bit of lead and cat poop. Teach the rug rat how to defend themselves and all will be fine. I have 5 children and 8 grandchildren all gun trained...

 

[Navy_Guns]

Confused by the thread name...

You should wait a few months after she has the baby before you try to reload a pregnant woman.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Leave it to a Sailor to come up with that. Been to WESTPAC I see...

 

[jenrob]

Confused by the thread name...

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You should wait a few months after she has the baby before you try to reload a pregnant woman.

ye ole shell back my wife got a good laugh outta that.

To the OP my wife said to tell you that she is getting ready to go qualify and will be shooting plenty of lead.