Gold Canyon Kid #43974 Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 About 7 or 8 years ago I had my lead levels tested during my yearly physical. The levels were extremely high, in fact slightly over the OSHA reporting level. I cleaned up my reloading habits, mostly by washing my hands immediately after loading or cleaning brass. I also did my brass cleaning dump from brass cleaner to containers outside after taking steps to minimize dust in the cleaning media using dryer sheets. Just got my lead tested again and it was a very low 2.3 mcg/dL. The OSHA level for reporting is 40.0 and the normal high for an adult is 25 mcg/dL if I remember correctly. Summary, proper loading habits work and will keep your lead levels low and if they are elevated, they can be greatly reduced by proper loading habits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Just got my lead tested again and it was a very low 2.3 mcg/dL. Congrats! That is great news! And it just shows that, if pards try hard, they CAN get the lead out. Good luck, GJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nellie Blue #54399 Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 GCK, Thanks for the info!! Good to hear! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kajun Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 And it just shows that, if pards try hard, they CAN get the lead out. Now that there's funny...I don't care where ya from! Now if we can just get our "pards" in Washington to get the lead out and do some good we'll all have a Merry Christmas and lower taxes!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 I wear a pair of gloves while reloading. They're very close fitting neoprene and don't bother me at all. And no food or drink in the area while reloading. Simple things that can really make a difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GW Ryder, SASS #50690 Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 My levels were elevated but not too bad. Started wearing latex gloves while reloading and wiping everything down with d-lead towels. Six months later, I'm back within normal levels. I need all the brain cells I can get, and high levels can screw with your head. Use precautions. GW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Hanger #3720LR Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 We could all move to India. Their acceptable lead level in adults is 100 mcg/dL. ---------- No food, no drinks, no going to the bathroom, no talking on the telephone no scratching yourself and and and while handling ammunition and/or components until you wash your hands with soap and water. Be sure to wash the drying towel often or start using paper towels and toss them out. There is no need to go through the lead remove thing most doctors want you to do when they think you have high lead levels. Also the treatment requires you to stop all contact with the lead objects your use during the treatment which can take a year. Yea right. Wash your hand often and be don't with it. Wiping down the work area helps as well. I do it but I don't think about it. Glad it was said here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Cinch, SASS#29433 Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 The OSHA level for reporting is 40.0 and the normal high for an adult is 25 mcg/dL if I remember correctly. Uh-oh too late...loss of memory... thats the 1st sign of lead poisoning If the brain damage keeps up you will be qualified to be President soon!! I heard the other day that OSHA regulations interfere with the natural selection process Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mustang Gregg Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! Utah Bob is right. Them latex gloves will work fine for reloading. The tighter, the better. I'd sure like to hear from some other bullet casters on how their lead levels are. I get mine checked yearly due to work physicals. And mine is fine so far. I don't have the numbers at hand, though. Mustang Gregg [Castin & blastin!] PS Another bad source of lead that some haven't pondered is handling used polishing media. That dusty stuff is terribly high in lead and it is easily airborne and injestible that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Hanger #3720LR Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Commercial FFL ammunition manufacturer. (reload for cas shooters) 1997 to present. Also cast all the bullets used until this past August. Last blood test showed 26.7 lead level. The VA doctor went crazy until I showed her the OSHA numbers of 40. She was going by the government numbers for children under the age of 8. She had already turned me in to the CA state health board. Got a nice long letter with location to go to for treatment. Sent them a nice letter with OSHA numbers and told them I was self employed and did not fall under their demand for treatment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rye Miles #13621 Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 My lead level was about 20, doc said don't worry till it' gets to 40. I guess my doc is up with the current info. Rye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Three Foot Johnson Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 I worked at a lead smelter for 23 years, and, early on, it wasn't uncommon for people to be over 100. I believe I hit that myself a time or two. Some people are much more susceptible to lead poisoning than others, and I happen to be one of them. Even wearing a PAPR respirator, full body suit, and gloves in the more contaminated areas, I still spent 4-6 months a year on medical removal for high blood lead levels. For that entire 23 years, I don't think I was ever below 20. At 40+, I went to the bath house to do laundry and janitorial work til it dropped below... 27, I believe, whereupon I was released and put back to work out in the plant. The place shut down in '01, and I haven't had my blood lead level checked since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kajun Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Uh-oh too late...loss of memory... that's the 1st sign of lead poisoning I worked at a lead smelter for 23 years, and, early on, it wasn't uncommon for people to be over 100. I believe I hit that myself a time or two. Some people are much more susceptible to lead poisoning than others, and I happen to be one of them. Even wearing a PAPR respirator, full body suit, and gloves in the more contaminated areas, I still spent 4-6 months a year on medical removal for high blood lead levels. For that entire 23 years, I don't think I was ever below 20. At 40+, I went to the bath house to do laundry and janitorial work til it dropped below... 27, I believe, whereupon I was released and put back to work out in the plant. The place shut down in '01, and I haven't had my blood lead level checked since. JBB, are ya sure you're remembering that right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snakebite Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 I've watched this thread and have decided to make a comment on it. I won't make a long story out of this but will say that I believe that lead effects some folks more than others. I have Essential thrombocytosis and receive ongoing Chemotherapy. A couple of years into treatment it was noticed that I was also suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease. It looked like dialysis and a possible transplant might be in my future. My first Hematologists believed that the Renal function decrease was a result of the Chemotherapy. Things kept going downhill so I changed doctors. I went to a young doctor from India. He noticed that my lead level was high (32), and immediately started me on Chelation therapy to remove the heavy metals from my body. As the lead level started coming down, my Renal function stopped falling and the Bone Morrow problem was finally brought under control. Coincidence? I don't know for sure, I only know that I was going downhill until my lead levels were brought down. At this point things appear to be holding. As a result, I have made major changes to limit my exposure to lead. I suggest that everyone take precausions too. Snakebite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lone Dog, SASS #20401 Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Cliff, I cannot get the VA to test for lead and I have requested it many times over many years. How did you accomplish that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Norsk Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 I had a lead test about 15 years ago 10.3 was the number. Later test was done again, no number this time but with in normal limits. Have been casting near 50 years, have been doing it wrong, early on inside house, torch in top of lead pot to start melt etc. then outside, fans etc. My friend has never cast was noted to be 23 lead and later 12. Not sure test was done the same each time. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Hanger #3720LR Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 I explained to my doctor what I do. I also explained I wanted know my lead levels so I would know if I should change what I do. It took several conversations to finally get the test done. And I had to tell the person drawing the blood this was for Lead Level testing. I had three drawings over 4 months and the first two were not for Lead testing. Wrong tubes. I told the doctor if they couldn't get the lead test right how could I possibly think anything else they told me or did was right. At the VA lead testing is a special test and is not usually on hand because they don't test for it. They had to order in 2 tubes just for this. Came with a brown top. The tube for lead testing does nothing else but test lead levels. So they don't keep it on hand. Make lots of noise and keep asking for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Three Foot Johnson Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 He noticed that my lead level was high (32), and immediately started me on Chelation therapy to remove the heavy metals from my body. Snakebite We were always cautioned on the danger of chelation therapy for lead. They told us that lead has a very sharp granular structure and removing it from the body through chelation caused permanent damage to the kidneys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sergeant Smokepole #29248L Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Due to the high dangers of handling lead etc., does anybody think that at some point, SASS will allow plated bullets in the near future? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mustang Gregg Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Due to the high dangers of handling lead etc., does anybody think that at some point, SASS will allow plated bullets in the near future? Sgt Smokepole: To MY way of thinking, no, I don't reckon so. MG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curley Fryes Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 I thought the high lead levels were from all the paint I ate as a kid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowboy Rick, SASS #49739L Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 I've watched this thread and have decided to make a comment on it. I won't make a long story out of this but will say that I believe that lead effects some folks more than others. I have Essential thrombocytosis and receive ongoing Chemotherapy. A couple of years into treatment it was noticed that I was also suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease. It looked like dialysis and a possible transplant might be in my future. My first Hematologists believed that the Renal function decrease was a result of the Chemotherapy. Things kept going downhill so I changed doctors. I went to a young doctor from India. He noticed that my lead level was high (32), and immediately started me on Chelation therapy to remove the heavy metals from my body. As the lead level started coming down, my Renal function stopped falling and the Bone Morrow problem was finally brought under control. Coincidence? I don't know for sure, I only know that I was going downhill until my lead levels were brought down. At this point things appear to be holding. As a result, I have made major changes to limit my exposure to lead. I suggest that everyone take precausions too. Snakebite Chelation at that level would be aggressive for someone without your other issues. Most folks who are otherwise healthy can stand much higher if the source is removed. My doc was ready to start at 42, but instead sent me to a specialist at University of Iowa Hospital. The specialist recommended the limitations other folks have mentioned here, but did not discourage being in the presence of lead, just exercise care in handling. Ingestion and inhalation are the main ways we accumulate lead. If we stop the source, we usually heal ourselves. Mine dropped to the mid teens in 6 months. Tumbler is now in the garage, use a respirator (not a paper mask) and latex gloves when handling the tumbler and/or media. Quit shooting indoors at the old range. Those changes alone did the trick. CR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Due to the high dangers of handling lead etc., does anybody think that at some point, SASS will allow plated bullets in the near future? There is very little danger in handling metallic lead (bullets). Washing after loading or shooting removes almost all the danger from solid bullet lead. And, the absorption rate through the skin is very low for metallic lead. Much more exposure comes from airborne lead, as in the residue in tumbling media dust (mostly from spent primers), and the lead particles that are dispersed from bullets and shot impacting on targets. Also from casting with poor ventilation. The way we shoot near-vertical targets, plated rounds would be the same lead contributors they are if not plated. Unless everyone went to non-toxic primers, the primer contribution of lead would remain the same. All that going to plated bullets would do would be to put home casters out of business, and raise the cost of shooting. Without hardly any improvement in practical exposure when shooting outdoors. Plated bullets are also hard to tell apart from jacketed rounds, once loaded. And have you seen the damage that FMJ rounds do to our steel, even when it is AR500 steel? Major pock marks that make the targets unsafe due to they way they throw fragments back at the shooter and others. So, no, I don't expect plated bullets to EVER find a place in SASS shooting, the way we run ranges now. Good luck ,GJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rye Miles #13621 Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 I thought the high lead levels were from all the paint I ate as a kid. Hey me too! My favorite was green, how about yours? I used to always chew on walls and doors etc. My mom didn't like us to snack too much so ya had ta eat sumthin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curley Fryes Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Hey me too! My favorite was green, how about yours? I used to always chew on walls and doors etc. My mom didn't like us to snack too much so ya had ta eat sumthin! Mine was window sills! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tennessee Stud, SASS# 43634 Life Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 With all of that lead in yore system back then... just wondered if all that lead-weight kept you from swimmin'? ts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daybreaker Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 Now if I could cure the asbestos I enhailed while working 32 years at a power plant, I'd be set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 Plated bullets ....... No. But I do see the day for frangiblle bullets. Interestingly, we are just as endangered by lead in the food chain, as well as arsenic, as we are from playing with bullets. Scary!!!! Coffinmaker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sergeant Smokepole #29248L Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 Plated bullets are also hard to tell apart from jacketed rounds, once loaded. And have you seen the damage that FMJ rounds do to our steel, even when it is AR500 steel? Major pock marks that make the targets unsafe due to they way they throw fragments back at the shooter and others. Good luck ,GJ It is actually very easy to tell the difference. Plated bullets do not have a smooth external surface. It is always slightly irregular. My guess is that it comes from handling a soft bullet with thin plating. Plus the plated bullets are pure copper, not gilding metal and are therefore softer as well. As far as the damage, I agree somewhat but I have also noted that loaded to the same velocities (The 1000 FPS maximum in pistols and 1400 FPS rifles) , a hard cast bullet causes more damage to a metal target than jacketed bullets that are not plated steel. My experience is that velocity does more to crater a steel plate than a gilding metal, let alone a pure copper plated projectile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snakebite Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 I think that electro plated bullets would have a good chance at acceptance if they were to change the color to something that would totally distinguish them from Jacketed bullets. Snakebite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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