Lead levels in blood

[Palmetto Traveller]

I recently had my annual physical and requested a lead blood level test. It came back high at 10.3 ug/dl. I've read here that you cannot absorb lead through your skin (it's on the internet so it has to be true right) while handling the bullets but I've always tried to be cautious otherwise in my loading room. I use a wet tumbling process, load only small cartridge primers yet still the high level. My question is do the shotgun primers contain lead or where else could these results come from? I do a lot of loading for three shooters and we usually shoot 3-4 matches per month.

[Cassalong Hopidy]

I think your doctor would not be concerned with that lead level.  Mine is much higher. Primers are a source, yes.  Can absorb lead through cuts and cracks in skin.  Use gloves when reloading and cleaning guns.  Likelier to be inhaling it (especially if you run the timer much)  and ingesting by eating without washing your hands after shooting.

[Dutch Nichols, SASS #6461]

quickest way as stated above gun cleaning. you dissolve lead particulates then it gets absorbed by your skin thru the solvent.

Buy a box of rubber Gloves almost anywhere and use when cleaning.

 

Also most don't think of it buy my Doc says by handling lead if you then smoke it can quickly enter your sysytem.

[ShadowCatcher]

You can buy an over the counter compound of Chlorella, a type of algae that helps leech lead and heavy metals out of your system.

It's available at most health food shops.  My Dr. asks me to take it each day I go to the range  and the day after.  It seems to

be very effective for me in reducing heavy metal toxicity.  YMMV.

 

SC

[Cheyenne Culpepper 32827]

for a child that number wud cause some concern,,, when dumping brass from vibrator to seperator, and as you seperate brass from media don't inhale that dust either

[Billy the Avenger]

If I remember correctly 10.3 is not high at all ,  I know of some guys that have been around 70 and that's high

 

 

[John Boy]

Lead blood results yesterday - another 12

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

About 25-30 micrograms per deciliter is where occupational medicine experts draw the line in adults, from what I've seen, and start to get serious about reduction in exposure and even chelation therapy to remove lead from the body.   Chelation therapy usually is a slow process because if the body is absorbing lead, it stores it in bone (where it is hard to remove quickly).

 

The level IN CHILDREN where the CDC recommends chelation treatment is now at 45 ug/dl.  But they start to track the exposure and suggest reduction if they find a 5 level in children.

 

PER: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/acclpp/blood_lead_levels.htm

 

Levels where they have the same concerns for adults are higher.

 

I worked a lead recycling plant for a year and had quarterly blood draws.   With attention to avoiding inhalation of dust and good hygiene before eating and drinking, it was not hard to keep levels of 15 and below.  

 

I follow the same precautions around shooting and reloading.  Lead compounds in primers go to fine dust upon firing.   Lead shot hitting targets turns a big fraction of the shot into fine lead dust.   Lead residue from primers in fired cases gets into tumbling media, and into bores of guns to be cleaned out with solvents.  Yes, shotgun primers have lead styphnate and other organo-metallic lead compounds in them, just like cartridge primers do, in fact, there is more compound by weight in each shotgun primer.  The occasional crushed primer when reloading leaves it's lead compounds on the press and a little on loaded rounds.   Metallic lead in bullets - hard for that to get into your lungs or digestive system unless you nibble on the slugs or shove your dirty fingers into body orifices.

 

The levels GP doctors are warning patients about are at about 1/3 of the level where most health effects can really be detected.

 

Be wise, but not terrified. IMHO.

 

Good luck, GJ

[watab kid]

i would not be concerned with that level , its a natural element that we come into contact with daily , i do see the concerns because of our enhanced exposure in the shooting sports but most of us just dont get the levels of concern , you can check out OSHA standards to understand more in depth what is of concern , 

[Rye Miles #13621]

A few years ago my lead level was at 23 and I was working part time in an indoor gun range/gun shop. I am no longer working there and my level was down to 9 at my last physical. I was breathing in all the dirt in the air as we swept up the range after hours. I only worked there 2 days a week but that was enough to raise my level. At 23 it still wasn't bad and my doc said he didn't want to see it get any higher. He was pleased it dropped to 9 in one year!

[Pat Riot]

I wear nitrile gloves when reloading but I never thought about when dumping brass from or into the hopper or cleaning guns. I do wear the gloves about half the time when cleaning but that's about to change. A dust mask for dry media will help too. Maybe I will look into "wet tumbling" my brass.

 

Thanks for the skinny on Chlorella, Shadow Catcher.

 

 

[Jackrabbit Joe #414]

Howdy pards: Lead level right now with me is 26. Just got out of Hospital after 5days there on oxygen & COPD with emphysema. Getting back on feet again feeling ok.

 

On the lead level of 26 probably like every one else not wearing gloves or mask and having open cuts on thumb end and loading lead bullets with the cut exposed. Taking various precaution now with mask, gloves and such.

 

Never aware of lead poison. Had last Doctor tell me to start taking Vitamin C as it will help. Will look into this Chorella stuuf also.

 

Glad some one brought this lead stuff up as I sure was ignorant to the fact of lead poison. I am now taking necessary precautions as I stated above.

 

Thanks to all for info.

 

Jackrabbit Joe #414

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

Do you dry tumble your brass? If so-wear a mask when separating and prep'n to clean the cases!

Unless you lick your fingers while reloading-You're good, as long as you don't handle food and keep your coffee cup covered. OH-NO SMOK'N either.........

OLG

 

 

[Jackrabbit Joe #414]

Gotcha copy on that Lumpy. Thanks pilgrim. I do dry tumble.

 

 

JRJ

[Springfield Slim SASS #24733]

You can change your dry tumble to wet tumble by buying some paint swirl remover at teh auto parts store and dumping in enough so that the walnut shell/corncob media is slightly damp and eliminate the dust. It will polish better also. Easy peasy. This alone dropped my numbers by 5 points, as I was breathing in all the dust.

[Sarge]

Most primers contain lead.  I was an LE Range Officer for years.  We were using an indoor range. Had to have annual lead checks.  I was medically shut down a couple of times because of elevated lead levels.  Most of the lead was inhaled because of primers.  But in those days we used to sweep the range afterwards.  Now, on modern ranges they use special suits and vaccuums to clean up the ranges.  Another thing to be aware of is if you are a reloader and casting your own bullets.  Make sure you are in a well ventilated area and use a mask and gloves.  Make sure you wash thoroughly before handling food. 

[Palmetto Traveller]

Thanks for all of the informative responses. My paperwork said the reference level for lead is 0.0 to 4.9 so at 10.3 I was a little concerned. Aside from already having switched to a wet tumbling process I'm thinking my biggest exposure is when I return from a match I have all the brass and sg shells from three shooters in a large flannel bag. I dump this bag into a bucket with a sieve and after pulling out the sg shells I swirl the brass around to get all rocks and sand out before I place into a coffee can to store. In the future I'll sort outside my little 10' x 8' loading room and also will start wearing gloves when loading and cleaning. It never hurts to be a little extra cautious.

Traveler

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

When all those empties are inside the vehicle with you. Keep'em in a sealed zip-loc type bag.

Install a good exhaust fan in your loading room and wear a dust mask when sorting empties.

OLG

[Blackey Cole]

wear a dust mask and latex gloves when reloading as it seams you do a lot o reload for those numbers. I usually get mine checked ever yea or two depending on my reloading and shooting levels

[Cliff Hanger #3720LR]

Read up on lead levels in blood.

 

Yes, I know all about the GP doctors getting excited when you get reading of 12 or higher.

They start quoting the CDC recommended levels and want you to start doing all sorts of things.

There is a problem with what GP doctors are quoting.

The CDC lead level is for children under 12 years of age.

CDC last time I check did not list an adult level list.

 

Another issue is the using of Chorella.

Yes, it works well.

In the warning information it also says that once you start taking it, you need to be removed from the environment that carries the lead contamination for six months or six month after stopping treatment.

 

This drug works well to remove but it changes your body chemistry and also allows the lead to intrude much easier.

Reason for being removed from contaminated work.

 

Check the lead levels allowed by OSHA and you will find a completely different set of level values.

It is 3 to 4 times higher than the CDC info.

If I remember correctly, 40 or 45 befoer OSHA go concerned.

 

I learned all this while casting bullets and reloading full time.

My doctor got concerned and turned my name and results in to the California health dept.

I got several nice letters from them.

I did a lot of research and responded with letters and data of my own.

 

I got a "Sorry" for bothering you letter.

We had to act on the information we got from your doctor.

 

After that, I never got another letter and I had a nice talk with my doctor including artwork and regulations on working lead levels.

I have that information somewhere but that was over 15 years ago.

 

I did not wear gloves or a mask.

I worked 6 days a week loading and casting was 3 days a month.

I did have some strict rules I worked by.

No eating.

No answering the phone.

No bathroom breaks.

No touching face.

 

No nothing until I washed with cold water, soap and a good sponge with a nylon scratch pad on one side.

No hot water as it opens up pours in the skin and could allow lead to penetrate.

 

Absorption through the skin is rare.

Breathing and ingestion are the main ways lead is introduced in to the body.

 

If you get doctors who start telling you all sorts of things about high lead levels, do your own research.

There is plenty out there the doctors have no idea exists. 

 

You numbers may be higher than normal, but by who's standards. CDC?

Check other standards. (real world standards)

 

 

 

[Snake-eye, SASS#45097]

There is a great article on lead contamination in the March edition of the Chronicale. The author goes into great detail about the subject providing accurate information and interesting facts. Anyone concerned about lead contamination should read this article. 

 

Thanks to the author. 

[Three Foot Johnson]

I worked at a lead smelter for 23 years, and had blood lead levels above 50 many times. Some people's blood absorbs lead much more readily than others. I could wear all the protective gear possible and be on in-plant medical removal a couple times every year, while others could work in buildings you couldn't see across due to the smoke with no respirator, gloves, etc, and stay well under 20. When on medical removal, we were allowed back in the plant to our regular jobs at 28, IIRC.

[Irish Dan O'Shootem]

The dust is the main reason I went to wet tumbling. Plus I like shiney brass!

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

Quote

Check the lead levels allowed by OSHA and you will find a completely different set of level values.

It is 3 to 4 times higher than the CDC info.

If I remember correctly, 40 or 45 before OSHA got concerned.

 

 

OK, I checked the OSHA standards.  And CH had them pretty close to right just from memory.  

 

Quote

a worker is to be removed from any work having any eight hour TWA exposure to lead of 30 ug/m(3) or more whenever either of the following circumstances apply: (1) a blood lead level of 60 ug/100 g or greater is obtained and confirmed by a second follow-up blood lead level performed within two weeks after the employer receives the results of the first blood sampling test, or (2) the average of the previous three blood lead determinations or the average of all blood lead determinations conducted during the previous six months, whichever encompasses the longest time period, equals or exceeds 50 ug/100 g, unless the last blood sample indicates a blood lead level at or below 40 ug/100 g in which case the employee need not be removed. Medical removal is to continue until two consecutive blood lead levels are 40 ug/100 g or less.

From https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10033

 

Wow.  To simplify that, under OSHA requirements set in 1989,  a 60 reading in a lead-exposure job means a worker has to be taken out of the area with lead exposure. Until they get back down below a 40 reading.  Three tests in a row averaging a 50 reading, same story.

 

Why did they set those blood levels for lead in adults?  That same reference explains a little later:

Quote

The provisions of the lead standard are founded on two prime medical judgments: first, the prevention of adverse health effects from exposure to lead throughout a working lifetime requires that worker blood lead levels be maintained at or below 40 g/100 g and second, the blood lead levels of workers, male or female, who intend to parent in the near future should be maintained below 30 ug/100 g to minimize adverse reproductive health effects to the parents and developing fetus.

 

So, over a lifetime, they want an adult not to exceed a 40 reading (on average), and both men and women of reproductive age to not average more than a 30 reading.

 

Hope that helps explain the WORKPLACE blood-lead standards for you pards.

 

Good luck, GJ

 

[Lead Ringer]

I just had my levels tested, it's a 23. Dropped 2 points in two years. I've casted literally tons and tons of bullets. I use a venting hood over my machine and one over my shot maker. I also wear rubber gloves, wash hands well, have switched to wet Tumbling brass. 

My lead levels where high prior to casting.  I'd guess it was party due to remodeling work in old homes. (Very dusty). The other part was most likely from carelessness with dry tumbling, running the timer all the time and not careful with handling empty casings, Etc.

I'm going to start cleaning guns with gloves and look into Chlorella. 

I'd feel good about a 10 level!

Regards,

Ringer