Just came back from my annual physical, and I had requested a test for lead level among the various tests they do on your blood sample. To my surprise, I have an elevated level, 23, on a scale where 0 to 9 is deemed acceptable. I say to my surprise, because I haven't even started reloading yet, and over 95% of my centerfire shooting is with FMJ factory ammo, 9mm, .45 acp and .38 special. We have weekly plates matches, outdoors, and I will shoot 100 to 200 rounds. I may go out during midweek, shoot maybe another 100-200 rounds. Near the line , you are exposed to some smoke, depending on the wind and weather. I haven't been to the little indoor .22 range (except for a couple of quick work visits) since last winter, that would be a prime suspect, because of lead bullets, poor air handling system, advanced age, and not great maintenance.
I am in the process of setting up two presses, and have 4,000 lasercast lead bullets in stock; guess I will be using latex gloves and wearing a mask. In future, maybe I will spend more and get fully encapsulated bullets.
I was really surprised at this result, I am mostly outdoors, with jacketed ammo.
Others have any stories, advice, feedback? :scratch:
Edit: light bulb just went on , in preparing for new presses, I have been churning a lot of brass thru my new vibratory cleaner and media separator, out in the garage, literally thousands of cases. I wear gloves when handling, but no mask. First media was crushed walnut, later shifted to corncob. Could that be the culprit?
I am in the process of setting up two presses, and have 4,000 lasercast lead bullets in stock; guess I will be using latex gloves and wearing a mask. In future, maybe I will spend more and get fully encapsulated bullets.
I was really surprised at this result, I am mostly outdoors, with jacketed ammo.
Others have any stories, advice, feedback? :scratch:
Edit: light bulb just went on , in preparing for new presses, I have been churning a lot of brass thru my new vibratory cleaner and media separator, out in the garage, literally thousands of cases. I wear gloves when handling, but no mask. First media was crushed walnut, later shifted to corncob. Could that be the culprit?