Lead Poisoning: A Hidden Danger at Shooting Ranges

[ErikJ]

Lead Poisoning: A Hidden Danger at Shooting Ranges Oct 31, 2014
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Lead poisoning, which can cause serious neurological problems and even death, is most often associated with peeling paint chips in old houses, not recreational shooting. But with more women and youth joining the 40 million Americans who enjoy gun sports, experts say the use of lead ammunition can pose deadly risks.

“Unfortunately, a lot of operators are unaware that overexposure to lead is a real issue."

In 2010, 20 children and teens at a Vancouver, Washington, indoor shooting club tested positive for lead poisoning, according to a recent year-long investigation by The Seattle Times. A study in Alaska revealed that the single largest source of lead exposure in children aged 6 to 17 was firing ranges.

Lead dust can enter the body in two ways, inhalation and ingestion. Unsafe exposure can cause nausea and fatigue, organ damage and mental impairment. Children are the most vulnerable to the effects of lead because their brains are still developing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Negative health effects can be lifelong.

Yet many firing ranges host birthday parties and other events where youngsters can ingest lead after touching contaminated surfaces.
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http://www.nbcnews.com/health/kids-health/lead-poisoning-hidden-danger-shooting-ranges-n237766

[phantom power]

1. one of the effects of lead poisoning is increased tendency to violence

what could possibly go wrong?

[ErikJ]

6. The kid shoots her instructor?

This lead story came out after the little girl tragically killed her instructor with an uzi last Oct.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

9. You're trying to pin that to lead poisoning induced violent behavior? Seriously?

[helpmetohelpyou]

10. hee

[frogmarch]

2. Thanks for posting this! nt

[shenmue]

3. Cleaning standards? Anyone?

Anyone?

[upaloopa]

4. Not to mention chewing on buckshot in wild game

[951-Riverside]

5. Idontcarewut your libralls say, YOU AINT TAKEN MYYYY GUNZ!!!!!

Obozocare that's what! Look it up!

Ain't taken myyyyy guns! Green Peace, Michael Brown, the skys the limit.

[Glassunion]

7. In some jurisdictions bullets have to be constructed of soft metal.

Otherwise they are illegal.

Just sayin'

[WinkyDink]

8. "many firing ranges host birthday parties"?? What's the slogan---"In Case It's Your Last"?

[KamaAina]

11. That would explain a LOT.

[longship]

12. No wonder... nt

[Blanks]

13. I'd be willing to bet that those inflicted with lead poisoning in this manner...

Are in no mood to hear it.

[NickB79]

14. So, 46 cases per year, on average, out of 50 million gun owners?

A recent CDC report found that between 2002 and 2012, a total of 2,056 Americans in “police protection” and 2,673 likely involved in “target shooting” had elevated blood lead levels.

If those numbers are even close to accurate, the risk of lead poisoning for any individual gun owner seems very, very low. There are around 40-50 million gun owners in the US, firing several BILLION rounds of ammo annually.

Honestly, I'm amazed it's not a lot higher than that. Of all the risks that come with gun ownership, accidental lead poisoning seems pretty far down on the list of concerns, unless you're some freak who feels the need to shoot a gun every day of your life and let your kids play with toy trucks in the dirt of the target backstop

[NutmegYankee]

15. The sportsman club I belong to made major renovations on our indoor range to stop lead.

We now have a huge ventilation system with large filters to keep airborne leads levels low on the indoor range. And the restrooms (for both indoor and outdoor ranges) are all stocked with large soap dispensers loaded with a soap made for removing lead from the skin. The importance of careful cleaning of the hands is made aware to everybody on a regular basis.