Reducing lead exposure

[Tard]

I've decided to take more proactive steps towards reducing my lead exposure.

So far I'm:
1) Have a pair of range shoes I keep in the garage, never walk into the house with them.
2) Wear gloves when reloading lead bullets (45ACP)
3) Don't touch my face when I'm shooting until I have washed my hands twice with GoJo and cold water.
4) Change clothes after shooting which is a hassle.
5) I don't touch stuff from the floor. I sweep my brass into a ziplock bag without touching it, then unload it outdoors into a strainer to try and take the lead dust off it before tumbling.
6) Never eat or drink during or after shooting until I've washed my hands very well. Supposedly its important to use COLD water to wash with I've read.
7) Wear a hat.

I shoot lead bullets from my .45 because I have about 4,500 of them left from a bulk purchase but I will be changing to FMJ/TMJ after those are used-up. I shoot coated bullets from my .22 and TMJ from my 9mms.

Since I'm with others shooting, I haven't considered changing to lead-free ammo. The indoor range where I shoot has very good ventilation.

However, I've decided to get a lightweight jumper to slip over my clothes and keep that in a big sealed bag with my range shoes in the trunk of my car. Slip 'em on, shoot, slip 'em off at the range. That way I'm not spreading the lead dust all over my car and house. I'm trying to find a lightweight mechanics jumper or something like that now.

I'm not afraid to look stupid in public, I might go with a Tyvek 1-piece suit or a painter's one-piece suit while I shoot, they are cheap, light and pack down very nicely. I'll wear a hat and keep it in it's own ziplock bag.

What are other people doing?
Does anyone wear a respirator/mask when shooting indoors?

I shoot a lot, this isn't academic paranoia.

[propellerhead]

Is it necessary? I wash my hands twice after shooting. And I have been going to the range twice a week lately and shooting about 250 rounds each visit.

[beardman2]

wow... I don't think I'd be willing to shoot if I had to do all that just to go light off a few.

I am thinking about getting a box of baby wipes to keep in my bag though. That should reduce a lot of possible transfer to vehicles etc.

[brian40]

Originally Posted by Tard

this isn't academic paranoia.

Yeah I think it is. Shoot outdoors and keep your hands out of your mouth until you wash them, you will be fine.

Hell, we used to squeeze splitshot fishing weights with our teeth! I said in another post that I get a hazmat physical every year and the only time I ever had lead show up at detectable levels was when I spent a year shooting indoors (level wasn't high, but it was there). Started shooting outside and next year it was gone.

If you are really so paranoid about lead, get some blood tests done before going through all that hassle.

[Tard]

Everyone who shoots routinely indoors has elevated lead levels.
My question is anyone doing anything special to reduce exposure? From what I see on the ranges, most people don't have a clue.

[nightraider]

When I get home, I just lick the black lead off my shoes. Also, I make sure to eat greasy fries immediately after touching my gun in order to maximize the amount of lead exposure.

In all seriousness, most of the black stuff you see is left over powder residue rather than lead. I personally am not worried about lead exposure. Of course simple precautions like washing your hands after each trip and not licking your fingers while shooting is always a good idea.

[R Dub]

A few precautions are good. Respirator and oversuit may be excessive.
You can have a heavy metals test done by your doctor. Its real simple, they give you a jug to pee in for a 24 hr period, and give it back to the Doc. I do this every six months. I shoot exclusively at an in-door range about 6-7 months out of the year and my levels have always been normal.

[10ring]

testing can also be done at your county health board. Simple blood test, results in 24-72hrs depending on the lab.

I do quite a bit of remodeling and I am frequently dealing with lead paint. While it is definitely a concern, there are precautions that can be taken to minimize the risk. As I read it, that's what you are trying to do.

Most drastic way to minimize your risk - stop shooting

Ok, the easiset things I can think to do would be to shoot outside, and wash your hands well when you are done. Avoid eating, and touching your face until after you are done shooting. I don't think you are going to be shielding yourself from much more lead exposure by wearing the coveralls. Think about this, IF there is that much lead on your suit, when you change out of the suit, you will agitate the lead particles, then you stuff it into a bag, potentially contaminating the inside of the suit. If you don't wash it, then you will be putting on the suit with lead contamination inside and out. If you wash it, you have to wash it separately, so you don't get lead transferred to your other clothes, and I think you need a high phosphate detergent to rinse the lead away. (maybe not though). Same goes for the shoes.

[txpete]

Originally Posted by Tard

Everyone who shoots routinely indoors has elevated lead levels.
My question is anyone doing anything special to reduce exposure? From what I see on the ranges, most people don't have a clue.

I have been casting my own bullets now for over 30 years.I had a blood test (heavy metal) check. which came back as normal level.
so lets see..
20+ years as aircraft armament loading servicing mini guns 20-30mm rockets & tow missles.30 years of casting my own bullets duh..
I wash my hands after shooting/casting and cast outdoors.don't eat drink or smoke while handling lead.I think the clue you have is wrong if you did all the right stuff and your tests come back high it might be from eating paint chip tacos.
fwiw dept..for casters lead doesn't give off toxic fumes unless it reaches 800F or higher.
pete

[WARHEAD'Z]

I wear shooting gloves when I shoot. Long sleeves too if it is not too hot.