Reply #26: Lead Levels High in Some Gunshot Victims

[MrBenchley]

"NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Survivors of gunshot wounds that leave bullet fragments lodged in the body may face a little-recognized long-term risk--elevated lead levels.
Researchers found that among 365 gunshot victims with retained bullet fragments, 12 percent had blood lead levels at or above the threshold for "medical concern" three months after being shot.
This percentage declined over time, fluctuating between two and five percent over the next year and a half. Still, researchers say even these lower figures suggest that of the 1 to 2 million gunshot survivors in the U.S., tens of thousands could unknowingly have lead levels high enough to threaten their health.
Study co-author Dr. Stephen J. Rothenberg recommended that gunshot victims with retained bullets have their blood lead levels monitored over time. "

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040416/hl_nm/gunshot_lead_dc_1