There are many myths concerning lead contamination going around the internet. Some of it is spread as gospel, but has no basis in fact or science.
First, the truths:
1. Lead dust and airborne lead can be inhaled through the lungs.
2. Lead can be ingested, either by directly ingesting or by contamination of food, drink or cigarettes by touching with your hands, with lead contamination on them. It can also be done by putting your fingers in your mouth, or your nose, before washing them, after contamination.
3. Dissolved lead can be absorbed through the skin, such as from leaded gasoline. The emphasis here is "dissolved" lead, not solid lead.
4. Breathing fumes from bullet casting can contaminate your lungs, if not ventilated properly, which means a draft from behind you, blowing the fumes away from you.
Now the myths:
1. Lead can be absorbed through the skin in solid form, such as handling bullets, primers or fired cases. (see #2 above)
2. You must wash your hands with cold water so you don't open the pores. (Solid lead can't be absorbed through the skin. The molecules are too large.)
3. You must use latex gloves to handle any lead. (Once again, lead isn't absorbed through the skin.)
4. You must wear a surgical mask whenever loading ammunition. (Not true.)
The four myths above are the most repeated, and are all false.
There is some good reading material available from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) on both indoor and outdoor shooting ranges and the environmental aspects of lead on both. A lot of the material was written by Rick Patterson, in conjunction with Ed Guster III, of EPA. Both gentlemen are experts in the field of lead and shooting ranges and I've had the pleasure of meeting them both and having several conversations with them on this subject. I also have their books, which can be obtained at
www.rangeinfo.org. I would suggest to anyone sincerely interested in this subject to contact NSSF and get the proper information.
As far as lead contamination on indoor ranges, it does occur. It's usually due to improper maintenance of the facility and improper ventilation. An indoor range should never be swept with a broom. It has to either be wet mopped or vacuumed using a HEPA vacuum. There shouldn't be any carpets or other cloth material on the shooting benches. The benches must be mopped down regularly and the water disposed of properly. The ventilation has to be in the correct volume and has to come from behind the shooter, blowing the contaminants away from the shooting positions.
Another area that is sometimes neglected on indoor ranges is the accumulation of unburned gunpowder on the floor and in cracks, directly in front of the shooting positions. Anyone who has spent time on the firing line knows that there is unburned powder left behind. When this isn't removed in an indoor range, there is the distinct possibility that it can be ignited. In 2005, there were three indoor range fires in Germany, with the loss of several lives, caused by the accumulated gunpowder igniting all at once. Most shooting in Germany is done on indoor ranges, so they get a lot of use.
The bottom line is, during shooting, don't eat, drink or smoke. Don't put your fingers in your mouth or nose. Wash your hands after shooting.
When handling lead of any type, the same applies. Don't eat, drink or smoke. Don't put your fingers in your mouth or nose. Wash your hands after handling lead.
When casting bullets, do it outside or in the entrance to the building or garage. Have a fan blowing from an angle behind you to blow the fumes out and away from you. Wash your hands after handling lead.
If you do these things, you will eliminate the biggest causes of lead contamination. It's not necessary to wear rubber gloves when loading, or a dust mask when loading, unless these things are needed to remind you to keep your hands out of your mouth and nose.
Above all, educate yourself and don't pass along myths without knowing the facts.
Hope this helps.
Fred
I spent three years as a range master on an outdoor range. Meanwhile two people went umuck at the indoor range down town at two different times in one year...You guys can keep the air borne lead inside...
