While the shooting sports are safe, fun and enjoyable there are hazards that we should all be aware of. We are all aware of those hazards such as barrel control, loaded chambers, mismatched ammunition that we are diligent to observe, but there are other less obvious hazards. On this page we hope to make our members aware of the hazards associated with lead and provide some resources to help you do your own research and plan your own personal lead mitigation strategies.
A good place to start is this study by the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario). Lead exposures among recreational shooters:
A good place to start is this study by the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario). Lead exposures among recreational shooters:
| |||
or this report from the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) website dealing with Lead:
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/lead/
The following booklet entitled “LEAD MANAGEMENT & OSHA COMPLIANCE FOR INDOOR SHOOTING RANGES” while focused primarily at those running an indoor ranges offers a good overview of lead exposure in the shooting sports.
https://www.usashooting.org/library/Youth_Development/HS_and_College_Programs/Lead_Management_-_NSSF.pdf
Lead levels are generally tested through a blood test:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003360.htm
If you decide to get your blood lead level checked by your physician the results will most likely be reported in either micrograms per decilitre (µg/dL) or micromoles per decilitre (µmol/L). These are very different numbers and cannot be compared without conversion.
The following pamphlet from the “Ontario College of Family Physicians” entitled “LEAD EXPOSURE SCREENING AND MANAGEMENT IN PRIMARY CARE” has a tables that allows you to cross reference blood lead levels in either unit.
http://ocfp.on.ca/docs/committee-documents/lead-exposure-brochure.pdf?sfvrsn=3
The following study from the US Center for Disease Control titled “Preventing Occupational Exposures to Lead and Noise at Indoor Firing Ranges” is another reference dealing with indoor range lead exposure.
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2009-136/pdfs/2009-136.pdf
We are not physicians and your health is your responsibility, but we do hope that we have raised your lead awareness. If you have any questions please do your research and contact a medical professional.
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/lead/
The following booklet entitled “LEAD MANAGEMENT & OSHA COMPLIANCE FOR INDOOR SHOOTING RANGES” while focused primarily at those running an indoor ranges offers a good overview of lead exposure in the shooting sports.
https://www.usashooting.org/library/Youth_Development/HS_and_College_Programs/Lead_Management_-_NSSF.pdf
Lead levels are generally tested through a blood test:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003360.htm
If you decide to get your blood lead level checked by your physician the results will most likely be reported in either micrograms per decilitre (µg/dL) or micromoles per decilitre (µmol/L). These are very different numbers and cannot be compared without conversion.
The following pamphlet from the “Ontario College of Family Physicians” entitled “LEAD EXPOSURE SCREENING AND MANAGEMENT IN PRIMARY CARE” has a tables that allows you to cross reference blood lead levels in either unit.
http://ocfp.on.ca/docs/committee-documents/lead-exposure-brochure.pdf?sfvrsn=3
The following study from the US Center for Disease Control titled “Preventing Occupational Exposures to Lead and Noise at Indoor Firing Ranges” is another reference dealing with indoor range lead exposure.
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2009-136/pdfs/2009-136.pdf
We are not physicians and your health is your responsibility, but we do hope that we have raised your lead awareness. If you have any questions please do your research and contact a medical professional.