Ingesting lead is a serious thing and can cause numerous problems for people with constant exposure. As you’re likely aware, you come into contact with lead during every trip to the range. You even come into contact with it each time you handle your firearm, especially if it hasn’t yet been cleaned after a visit to the range. The same goes for handling ammunition, and so on. Lead is present in most types of ammunition, including the primer and bullet. Each time you fire a round, lead is vaporized into the air and can be inhaled or ingested through the mouth. Furthermore, lead is sent down range and is then embedded in whatever surface the bullet encounters . . .
I can’t tell you how many times I see people eating and drinking at the range. One route for lead to enter your body is through your mouth. If you’re eating and/or drinking, this opens you up to even more lead exposure.
Remember that the range, especially an indoor range, can have lead particles on numerous surfaces. Also when you shoot, lead is sent in all directions and can easily get on yourself and your clothing.
Don’t believe me? Check out James Maddox’s story here–
Like many shooting-range workers, Maddox knew little about lead and its damaging capabilities. Daily, he inhaled airborne lead while managing the range and gun shop. Nightly, he swept up casings from spent ammunition in the 12 firing lanes, pushing a broom and kicking up more lead dust. The toxin landed on his skin and sank into his pores. Every breath pushed the poison further into his lungs, blood and bones.
He complained to owner Winfield Underwood that catch bins at the end of shooting lanes were overflowing with spent lead bullets, the ventilation system didn’t work and workers needed protective gear. Inspectors later discovered the air vents didn’t even have filters.
“It was just circulating the lead air,” said Maddox, who earned $9 an hour.
After working at the Louisville range about six months, Maddox, a hefty 38-year-old man, dropped 180 pounds. He also lost sensation in his fingers and toes. His head throbbed, his thinking slowed and he couldn’t remember birthdays. He had no sex drive. “It just feels like someone unplugged me from the wall and I just lost all my power,” he said.
The CDC has even made note the problem, in their reports form 2011 and 2014. Where they talk about the raised blood pressure of the employees that worked in the range, all this due to lead poisoning.
Now most ranges are safe and adhere to the health code , but the issue is that the shooters still have the opportunity to take this lead home. This is where it comes up to the obligation of the shooter to make sure he washes his hands thoroughly after shooting. Making sure not to touch one’s mouth or face, nor bringing in food or drink to the range will help to lessen the chances of ingesting dangerous lead.