Brass and lead poisoning

[Sigfan220]

This is the story... I started sorting and selling brass (for reloading) a little over a year ago. This year things really went well, maybe due to Obama. This year alone I have sorted roughly 500lbs of brass. This got me to thinking, how good it this for my health. Not good at all.... I was tested this week and it turns out I have lead poisoning but not really bad bad just 12mcg/dl (10 is considered max). My suspicion – the brass. It is typically pretty dusty and dirty. Some of the dust may go airborne but most just ends up on my hands. Kind of a bad deal so after this last 380lbs I'm quitting.

I's still undecided on bullet casting, we'll wait till spring and see how things look.

[870TC]

Lead dust is the easiest way to get elevated lead levels in your blood stream. You inhale it, and don't realize it. Ever blow your nose after sorting brass, or shooting and it comes out gray/black? well thats partially lead dust.
The worst part about casting is the dust or handling the lead, then not washing your hands. Not the fumes from melting.(assuming you have clean alloy to start with, not misc. scrap lead) Most of the toxic stuff from lead is not released into the air (as fumes) until you are above 900 degrees, and all your casting will be at about 750 or less depending on your alloy mix.

[Pinnacle]

Wear a mask and gloves when you are handling THAT much lead and brass - or lead covered brass and you should not have a problem as long as you are outside - or in a well vented area.

[mnglocker]

Not just a mask, get a resperator. They're a little more spendy and you'll have to replace cartidges $15-30ish but they actually do something for you.

[Squib Joe]

Those levels shouldn't be a concern (unless your under 12).

[Sigfan220]

Those levels shouldn't be a concern (unless your under 12).

I didn't look into it too much. The nurse just provided the report, the normal range is 0-10. She did state that at 12 they don't do anything. As I recal 25 is when things are really bad. I am 27 and hope to have kids someday, I can't imagine even this will help.

I'll try a mask and gloves, this should help. For casting - I'll probably just increase ventilation. I only cast about 3 days a year so it's probably not a big deal.

[mnglocker]

Those levels shouldn't be a concern (unless your under 12).

I didn't look into it too much. The nurse just provided the report, the normal range is 0-10. She did state that at 12 they don't do anything. As I recal 25 is when things are really bad. I am 27 and hope to have kids someday, I can't imagine even this will help.

I'll try a mask and gloves, this should help. For casting - I'll probably just increase ventilation. I only cast about 3 days a year so it's probably not a big deal.

Cast in your garage with the doors open or outside.

[1911fan]

Read up. There are fairly simple ways to lower your lead counts. Certain juices will leach if from your system over time.

[Squib Joe]

Those levels shouldn't be a concern (unless your under 12).

I didn't look into it too much. The nurse just provided the report, the normal range is 0-10. She did state that at 12 they don't do anything. As I recal 25 is when things are really bad. I am 27 and hope to have kids someday, I can't imagine even this will help.

I'll try a mask and gloves, this should help. For casting - I'll probably just increase ventilation. I only cast about 3 days a year so it's probably not a big deal.

50 or 60 is when things get really bad, or over 20 for a prolonged period (years).

Accuracy is also, I believe, at least a couple of parts plus or minus.

You could hit 12 just by eating certain foods

[Sigfan220]

Read up. There are fairly simple ways to lower your lead counts. Certain juices will leach if from your system over time.

That's what I was thinking. Didn't have much of a chance to look into it this weekend. To much loading and shooting

[Sigfan220]

Any chance you guys have been tested?? I wonder if this is just a typical number for a moderate-high volume shooter/reloader.

[mnglocker]

Any chance you guys have been tested?? I wonder if this is just a typical number for a moderate-high volume shooter/reloader.

I know Jac714 has been tested, perhaps he'll drop his $0.02 on it.

[Keith]

I had mine tested several years ago after running an indoor league for two winters and it came back at 33. Doc didn't seem too worried but I backed off of indoor shooting (basically stopped) and got real careful about dealing with lead dust. Last winter I had my new doc check and it is down to 10.

[Widge]

Wear one of these:



A N95 mask, available for about $0.70 (in boxes of 15) from your local hardware store. They last a few uses providing you don't get them wet or covered in oil.

[Squib Joe]

My results have ranged between 8 and 20 (blood tests are pretty much mandatory for range employees). My doctor was also generally unconcerned.