The Liberal Gun Club Forum

So I've spent the past year going to an indoor range almost every week, sometimes twice a week. I decided that I would be proactive and get my doctor to check my lead level. Turns out it's elevated, but not dangerously so.

Me: 13 ug/dL
Normal is 0-4
WHO recommendation is <20

So now the question is: what do I do about it? I expect the primary exposures are 1) handling uncoated lead bullets and 2) breathing in the fumes on the range.

For the first, I could switch to jacketed bullets or copper bullets. The only raw lead bullets I use are CCI Standard Velocity .22 LR, so maybe something else is called for.

For the fumes, I could start taking a respirator mask to the range, or spend more time at outdoor ranges (which would be an inconvenience, but I could do it).

Do you guys have any recommendations? I'm not really in any danger at this point, but I clearly am getting more lead exposure than I'd really prefer, so I'd like to do something about it.

So long as the indoor range has a properly working ventilation system, I would put the majority of your emphasis on reducing your contact with uncoated lead sources. Namely the ammunition you mentioned, but also any reloading you may do and your firearm cleaning procedures. Remember, de-leading your barrel while cleaning is important for firearm safety, but now you have a bunch of lead diluted in solvent flowing around. Also buy a bottle of the D-Lead soap for your home to wash your hands with after handling lead sources. Once you switch to FMJ's I would go and do a full blown super cleaning with a lead remover on all the pistols (feed ramps etc) and magazines (I'll bet there are lead smears in them) that have been used with plated or LRN ammunition. Wear latex gloves, use a tray, and be in a well-ventilated area when you are doing it. Personally, that is where I would start and see where it gets me on my next checkup.

Also, I am not entirely convinced of the lead abatement properties of "plated" projectiles, I would go full proper FMJ whenever practicable.

I am not an expert. I also don't go to the range very often. I have heard that its helpful to immediately change clothes and wash what you wore to the range when you get home. I have also heard its good to take off the shoes you wore to the range when you get home.

I went through this a few years ago. My level was up to 34 ug/dL. The threshold for clinical intervention is 40. If your exposure stops, your serum level will drop back down over a few months. I might recommend getting your blood tested every three months to see where it's headed.

I've grown rather wary of indoor ranges because of this risk, and there are several documented cases of indoor range workers becoming severely poisoned because they were sweeping the floors or otherwise disrupting the lead residue downrange as part of their after hours duties.

It great makes sense to wash your hands at the range before you leave, and certainly before you eat or drink anything. Most of the lead residue from shooting is of course on them hands. Unless you suffered an industrial accident that took both your arms in which case you’d probably want to wash your feet after a trip to the range because...

Oh, never mind.

Myself, I found my lead levels went down dramatically when I stopped testing the hardness of my cast boolits with my teeth the way Beaurrr taught me to do.

I’m feeling much better these days, thank you.

I agree that reducing contact is a good strategy. Yes, wash hands, don't touch face. Make sure vents at range are good.

Don't forget your soles. You've got to scrape them pretty well when you exit the range part. There will be carpet. Scuff those shoes pretty vigorously.

CDFingers

I've switched to lead free bullets. Alas the best you can do with 22lr is cci's copper 22, which still have lead in the primers. I also try to go to the range when there have been/are fewer people shooting. So Mondays after it has been closed for Sunday. Aside from washing up with special soap and wipes I have clothes I only where to the range and change out of when I get home. Also calcium helps combat lead exposure and maybe iron and vitamin c can help too. So consider that in your diet, maybe before you go to the range.

Also lead is stored in the body and can be for years. So even if your test goes down you could be building up stores levels over time that could be dangerous.

My lead levels are normal and I shoot nothing but cast bullets. I haven't shot indoors since 76 and make sure I melt my lead outside. I wear latex gloves when sizing and lubing my slugs and make sure I never pick my nose or rub my eyes before washing my hands. Primer residue is the worst and you have to keep the reloading presses clean of it.