Lead Level in Blood

[XDM45]

I used to work for Gopher Resource, which recycles lead from batteries and then sells billets and bars to Federal, and a few other various manufacturers. The work environment was mandatory respirator only, and we had to go through monthly blood checks. Some peoples genetics play into this significantly. Some people can process the lead in their blood out faster than others, some slower. That is something to keep in mind. Just to give you an idea, a dangerous lead level is 60+ µg/dL. We would send home employees for two+ weeks if their test was more than 35 µg/dL.

21 µg/dL is not a very high reading. I would not be concerned with that reading. Especially if your shooting habits have been consistent for a long time. 17 -25 µg/dL was normal for most employees while wearing full respirators.

I was always lucky and never had a high reading. Washing your hands frequently is important. Keeping your hands away from your face. Changing clothes, and showering asap.There are a few companies that make lead neutralizing wipes. There is also shampoo and body wash that you can get that neutralizes lead. I would have to say the lead dust more than anything is what contributes to high lead levels. Wear a dust mask when reloading. Make sure there is not a cold-air return for your furnace where you reload. Isolate that room as best as you can from the rest of your house. Install a bathroom exhaust fan. Try to create a negative pressure in that room.

All good advice. Thank you for that. I don't reload (right now anyway), but still very good info to have. I tend to be really anal over lead. I have "range shoes" I keep in my trunk in a plastic bin which are either there or on my feet at the range, that's it. I go through 2 pairs of clothing, the ones I wore at the range, then the ones I change into after cleaning up before going home. I wash the range clothes and the "step dpwn" clothes (as I call them...because I'm trying to reduce take home lead, or stepping it down), and then I shower.

The gloves I use really help and don't get eaten by the solvent like Latex gloves do.

[BlkVooDoo]

Yeah, I would look at wearing a dust mask or respirator while cleaning. Vitamin D and vitamin B9 will reduce the amount of lead your body will absorb. Vitamin B1 and I think B6 attach to lead and aid in faster removal. So pick up a Vitamin B complex, and take it daily. Outside of that, you are doing everything you can.

[RangerTim]

There's only one explanation... there's lead in your clothes, soap, and shampoo

[XDM45]

Yeah, I would look at wearing a dust mask or respirator while cleaning. Vitamin D and vitamin B9 will reduce the amount of lead your body will absorb. Vitamin B1 and I think B6 attach to lead and aid in faster removal. So pick up a Vitamin B complex, and take it daily. Outside of that, you are doing everything you can.

Good to know. Thank you for that information. I'll take your advice and start doing that.

[tenmilmag]

Back in the 90's when I worked in a machine shop, we had a government contract for M60 machine gun bolts. Pumping out 1000 bolts a week, they all required a "test" fire. We were supplied a jig to do this and high pressure test rounds. Starting on a Wednesday and firing off rounds all day thru Friday... until one day the range master noticed no consecutive firing going on and checked on our guy. He was found slumped and brought to ED via EMS. Nearly killed him. I like out of doors shooting myself.

[XDM45]

Back in the 90's when I worked in a machine shop, we had a government contract for M60 machine gun bolts. Pumping out 1000 bolts a week, they all required a "test" fire. We were supplied a jig to do this and high pressure test rounds. Starting on a Wednesday and firing off rounds all day thru Friday... until one day the range master noticed no consecutive firing going on and checked on our guy. He was found slumped and brought to ED via EMS. Nearly killed him. I like out of doors shooting myself.

Agreed on the outdoors.

I may need to pick up some of the hand soap Evad was telling me about too. Apparently it gets rid of lead and other metals. (I'll keep it away from my CD collection.)

[xd ED]

Back in the 90's when I worked in a machine shop, we had a government contract for M60 machine gun bolts. Pumping out 1000 bolts a week, they all required a "test" fire. We were supplied a jig to do this and high pressure test rounds. Starting on a Wednesday and firing off rounds all day thru Friday... until one day the range master noticed no consecutive firing going on and checked on our guy. He was found slumped and brought to ED via EMS. Nearly killed him. I like out of doors shooting myself.

So what was the cause of this?

Doubtful it was lead, or any other metal. More likely some manner of asphyxiation or CO poisoning I'm guessing.

[BlkVooDoo]

Back in the 90's when I worked in a machine shop, we had a government contract for M60 machine gun bolts. Pumping out 1000 bolts a week, they all required a "test" fire. We were supplied a jig to do this and high pressure test rounds. Starting on a Wednesday and firing off rounds all day thru Friday... until one day the range master noticed no consecutive firing going on and checked on our guy. He was found slumped and brought to ED via EMS. Nearly killed him. I like out of doors shooting myself.

So what was the cause of this?

Doubtful it was lead, or any other metal. More likely some manner of asphyxiation or CO poisoning I'm guessing.

Yeah, that was not from lead poisoning. Symptoms of lead poisoning in adults are more like viral (cold/flu) symptoms. Headaches; Weakness in arms, hands, and legs; Altered Mood, usually irritable; Stomach aches. These are the most common signs of lead poisoning. LONG TERM you will see visual jaundice like symptoms as kidneys fail.

[tenmilmag]

xd ED & BlkVooDoo, Best that I can remember is that he nearly succumbed to high level of lead in his blood stream. He was firing them rounds indoors at Bill's Robinsdale back then. Yes, poor air quality / lack of ventilation could very well have been part of the cause. I do know I can barely take an hour of indoor shooting myself.

[t140]

Anyone who's been to bills likely knows the horse crap quality ventilation they utilize. I use to frequent The North location and it would very easily become smokey from just a couple people firing at a moderate pace. I'd be very curious to know the exact airflow numbers and how long it takes their systems to completely change the air.

I know Sealed Mindset's completely changes the air every 4 seconds. But me firing as fast as I can (.2 splits) in there can get it smokey. Although, it goes downstream instantly and goes away very quickly after you stop shooting.

[xd ED]

Anyone who's been to bills likely knows the horse crap quality ventilation they utilize. I use to frequent The North location and it would very easily become smokey from just a couple people firing at a moderate pace. I'd be very curious to know the exact airflow numbers and how long it takes their systems to completely change the air.

I know Sealed Mindset's completely changes the air every 4 seconds. But me firing as fast as I can (.2 splits) in there can get it smokey. Although, it goes downstream instantly and goes away very quickly after you stop shooting.

.... You might want to clarify that 4 second air exchange statement. Had you said 4x / hr, I would buy that. Every 4 seconds =15x/ mn= 900 exchanges/ hr.
ETA: Corrected typo.

[t140]

.... You might want to clarify that 4 second air exchange statement. Had you said 4x / hr, I would buy that.

I have nothing to clarify. 4 seconds is what I was told.

Maybe Larry can chime in.

[JohnGageMN]

.... You might want to clarify that 4 second air exchange statement. Had you said 4x / hr, I would buy that.

I have nothing to clarify. 4 seconds is what I was told.

Maybe Larry can chime in.

How big is the range? If the live fire area is a relatively small space this is certainly possible. Expensive, but possible.

[t140]

I had my lead level checked, basically to see how I am with hygiene. I'm under 3.3. I'm guessing the doc's machine won't read lower than that.

I'm not sure on the area of the lane range. If I had to guess, maybe 936ish sq. ft. 4 lanes wide x 26 yds.

[MNGunner]

I know Sealed Mindset's completely changes the air every 4 seconds.

No air exchange / ventilation system will "completely change" anything. And especially not every 4 seconds.