2aHawaii
General Topics => Health, Fitness, and First Aid => Topic started by: zippz on March 10, 2018, 09:06:56 AM
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Has anyone gotten their lead levels checked?
I got a lead level check a couple years ago and it was 1 or 2 micrograms which is the average for a normal person. I thought it would be higher due to shooting, cleaning guns, and reloading. I admit I slack on hygiene after I do these activities.
Got me wondering from the SWAT range news story if people realize the dangers of high blood lead levels which can lead to memory loss, disabilities, retardation, and other long-term health problems. I started shooting at Honolulu Firearms indoor range which has a older air ventilation system so wondering if my lead levels may be creeping up. I took classes in range development which emphasized the potential for lead poisoning and they gave this example of range and construction workers getting very sick. http://projects.seattletimes.com/2014/loaded-with-lead. It's a good detailed 5 part story.
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No, but I don't cast boolits so haven't seen a need yet. I did use a lead test kit for my reloading surfaces and found no traces. There are significant amounts of lead on the patches after cleaning my Mosin and shooting the cast boolits, but no chunks of lead so the Nox seems to be working.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008BK15PU
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Had mine checked in December. It was 7.5 somethings per something, with the normal range being <25 somethings per something. Like you, I'm not remotely paranoid about sanitation at the range.
Since the previous time I had it checked, the state started mandating finger pricks for lead tests. That actually make me ill. I don't do all that great with needles, but can keep it together... but the prick, and the nurse milking the blood from my finger... UGH!!!
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I get tested yearly for heavy metals for my work. Never had any problems. Unless you are eating the lead dust you should be fine. Normal hygiene, ie wash your hands, should be fine.
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The doc that does our workplace physical said it looked normal. :thumbsup:
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The doc that does our workplace physical said it looked normal. :thumbsup:
that's not what she said
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I lick my boolits before inserting them in the brass, helps seat better. never had a problem
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I lick my boolits before inserting them in the brass, helps seat better. never had a problem
They taste better with flavored lube... :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
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I guess lead isn't an issue among frequent and long time shooters. The danger appears to be around lead dust like sifting the backstops or working at a bad indoor range.
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Strawberry flavored Liquinox might be problematic.
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Strawberry flavored Liquinox might be problematic.
You should try the cherry flavor. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
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I should get my levels checked, my place of part time employment had an indoor range before, unmitigated lead contamination has been noted in the building.
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Routine cleaning and hand-washing should be sufficient to protect against the surface contamination as long as there is no disturbed dust (and you don't lick the walls).
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I just started shooting recently (like two days ago lol) in an indoor range. Is it safe hygiene practice to change clothes immediately after shooting? I have an infant son and am trying to be cognizant of not exposing my son to lead poisoning.
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Infant son, definitely. Children are five times more sensitive to lead than adults, especially infants.
I recently used a surface lead test on the gloves I've been shooting with for the last two years and found trace amounts of lead. A quick wash of the gloves with soapy water and they're as good as new.
My MIL brought back a wooden flute from Jamaica for my son. I used a lead test on it and the paint was lead free, just to make sure.
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If Jerry Miculek doesn't have lead poisoning, then I don't have lead poisoning lol.
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I just started shooting recently (like two days ago lol) in an indoor range. Is it safe hygiene practice to change clothes immediately after shooting? I have an infant son and am trying to be cognizant of not exposing my son to lead poisoning.
That's a good question.
From what I recall from the NRA RSO course, I believe they just recommend washing hands after shooting and before doing stuff like eating or other things where hygiene is important. I believe same for the guidelines I've seen for military small arms ranges. However, those are likely considering lead exposure for adults, and not specifically for little ones. Without looking it up via my reference materials and Google, I would say better safe than sorry. While indoor ranges are supposed to have sufficient air flow down range do prevent too much exposure to the shooter, I've seen where the air flow has been questionable at best.
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If Jerry Miculek doesn't have lead poisoning, then I don't have lead poisoning lol.
You wish you were able to shoot the volume he does. ;D
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I just started shooting recently (like two days ago lol) in an indoor range. Is it safe hygiene practice to change clothes immediately after shooting? I have an infant son and am trying to be cognizant of not exposing my son to lead poisoning.
Personally I would shower before handling him. My daughter was 7 weeks premature so we were told to take extra precautions with her when it comes to friends that are smokers. Would make sense to not stuff your baby's face into your clothes, especially shooting at an indoor range. Better safe than sorry!
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You wish you were able to shoot the volume he does. ;D
You damn right lol.
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Thanks for the replies I did remove my clothes and shower before touching my son. 😎🤙🏻
I think also I should probably wash my range clothes separate from regular clothes, just to be safe.
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Should be fine together as long as the baby stays away from the dirty laundry. Recent studies have shown that silica dust from concrete cutting can also be harmful to children when the concrete workers wear their clothes home without changing. OSHA has recently tightened regulations on silica exposure. Although it's true that Hawaii doesn't have natural silica in the rock and sand, new concrete gets their sand from Portland or Asia where there is silica so it's difficult to determine how much without a personal air sample taken.