Any information on elevated lead levels

[RogerDat]

Yeah I thought there was no issue. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) doesn't require employee's get regular testing unless they hit 25 so being at almost 1/3 of that level seems pretty decent for the amount of time I spend licking lead ingots off my fingers

On the other hand maybe there is something the specialist can suggest that I can take or consume that will push levels down even lower. I'll post whatever they say that might be of general interest.

I did see something sort of funny and interesting. Lead is an element that the human body has no use for in any amount. Lot of minerals and such we can use in trace amounts but not lead. And lead can't be made "safe" once it is smelted from the ore. I guess it only alloys with stuff that still leaves it as lead(may I suggest Sb and a touch of Sn?) and won't break down or convert to a different substance. Alchemist everywhere are totally bummed I'm sure.

[mold maker]

Dr. are taught to watch for kids with ANY BLL. It can be serious with them while only a warning to adults. You are obviously doing things that improve the situation. Take a step back and look for the source and eliminate it. Dry tumbling brass is a prime suspect. Smelting scrap and WW is second unless you spend more time at an indoor range. All three are major suspects, and ventilation is the cure for all three. Don't make or stir up dust. It goes without saying that clean air and surfaces are key.
I'm no authority, but after several long discussions with my Dr, and his studying the BLL currently accepted. I'm not worried about any temporary level of <20, or a long term level of <8. An active caster/reloader/shooter will always have a BLL. It's our conscious habits that keep it low.
If you use clean protective clothing, wash like advised, and eliminate contact sources. you will be fine.

[mjkonopka]

What if I work at an indoor range as an RSO? I'm in the range for probably 2-4 hours a day.

[BOSCHLOPER]

I work for one of the big gun companies... Those of us who are range certified have our blood lead checked regularly. The airborne lead from primers seems to be a greater concern than what we casters get from the pot. Go with the standard hygiene rules. Don't eat while shooting, casting, or reloading. Wash your hands with soap after being around lead.

[Plate plinker]

What if I work at an indoor range as an RSO? I'm in the range for probably 2-4 hours a day.

If the range has a good air filtration system and you do as boschloper says you'll be fine. And don't dry sweep the range. If you do that get a respirator.

[mjkonopka]

We use squeegees to sweep the range. Then use a dust pan to transfer the brass to buckets. The ventilation is really really good at the range though.

[Idaho45guy]

Had mine tested last month and it was 4. That was after casting about 180lbs of bullets the week before...

[mold maker]

The air quality of indoor ranges may or may not be up to par. Just because you don't see a cloud of smoke doesn't mean it's good.
The unburnt powder that litters the range is full of lead. The brass we covet is full of lead dust. The cloud of dust liberated in our dry polishing media is the same. We handle the brass several times before the lead is mostly removed. Then we collect lead in every form handling it in a dirty/oxidized form several times before we cast reasonably clean ingots. The process involves removing/converting the oxidized lead into dross which is mostly un-reclaimed lead and dirt, in a fine dust that is easily inhaled and transferred to our clothes and hands.
We again handle the lead and tools covered with it several time before going back to the range to start the contamination process again.
Is it any wonder we find PPM of lead in our blood? Those of us who have practiced this sport should all be dead. It just proves that reasonable care and regular cleanliness habits protect us from ourselves.
It doesn't make carelessness or thoughtlessness acceptable. We are subjecting all those we have contact with to the same. Our family, our friends, and even a stranger we shake hands with, are effected. Even those who handle a door handle after us, get a small measure of what we carry with us.
Being so prevalent a danger, we are the only ones that have control over the contamination we spread.
Be vigilant to keep lead contained, and responsible for who else is effected, especially our children. They will face enough problems growing up and don't need our complications to further hinder them.
Take a good look and eliminate every reasonable source for your health and those you care for.

[RogerDat]

If I worked in an indoor range I would get my lead level tested as part of a routine annual physical. Provides one with a base line to measure if the levels are getting better or worse. As mold maker points out we make choices that can impact that level. I made changes in my brass handling not lead casting and saw a 20% drop in 6 months. If I were to see a test go up again I would be warned to examine my work habits and exposure points with a more critical eye.

Even more important to have tests done on a regular basis if one works regularly in an environment that offers sources or activities that provide potential for exposure. Who would have thought sweeping the floor could be a problem? Or that maybe a good dose of oil treated sawdust to keep the dust down when trying to sweep or squeegee the floor might drop that exposure by reducing dust.

When a primer goes off it puts lead residue in the air and on the case, lead in dust form is the easiest to get into the system or spread around. I don't work in a range and I figure annual test is a minimum and every 6 months is reasonable if not < 10 or maybe even < 5. Either one would indicate you have a potential to screw up and drive it higher.

Knowledge is powerful stuff get tested so you know what you are dealing with then gain knowledge about what it means and you will know if you need to do anything different.

[RogerDat]

well talked to the hematologist today. He said 10 or below warrants an annual check since lead exposure is taking place, and nothing more. He said the side effects of chelation treatment are more likely to cause harm than the 8.4 level I have.

He went a bit further and pointed out how a recently as 2005 levels of 10 in children would been required to have warranted treatment. now it is down to level of 5 in kids. Over time the acceptable level for children keeps dropping as they find out how little it takes to have a negative effect on development of small children. Adults limits on the other hand have dropped much less.

So a years reprieve. He also said the impact of vitamin C on reducing lead levels was so small as to be negligible.

[gatortommy]

Get in the habit of washing your hands a lot.

[BD]

Another really effective measure is to wash your brass in soap and water before tumbling it.

[GL49]

Another really effective measure is to wash your brass in soap and water before tumbling it.

Excellent idea. I usually avoid the water part because it's such a pain to dry rifle cases, pistols and revolvers not so much. How do you dry yours? Especially 223 brass? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[johnson1942]

an interesting discussion. the only thing i can add is if you take high does of vitamin E that can cause higher lead levels. i take a lot of supplements but stay away from vitamin E in single large doses for that reason. the only way i get it is in a multi vitamin tablet and that is a lower acceptable dose. it was popular several years ago to take a lot of E, not any more.

[xs11jack]

What about running your brass thru a ultrasonic cleaner before tumbler?
Ole Jack

[RogerDat]

I wash my brass in 5 gallon bucket, and have another one with holes in it so I can strain out some of the water, and shake the brass around in that strainer bucket to help drain water from in the case.

Suggestion I picked up here that seems to work well is (while wearing nitrile gloves) scoop out a couple of handfuls into a towel and then wrap it around the brass like you are getting ready to snap the towel at someone. You know hold the ends and spin the towel tight. That plus having the brass in a towel hammock as towel unwinds allows rolling it back and forth to further get water out of the case.

Dump the spun & tumbled in a towel brass into a bucket, then spread on an old towel to dry, sometimes I run and old box fan pointed at the towel covered with brass one layer deep. Some moving the brass around (again wearing nitrile gloves) to make sure it all is on it's side and gets good air flow helps. I have done at least a couple of 5 gallon buckets of .223 that way and it works. I just do about 1/3 of a 5 gallon bucket of brass at a time, that is how big my spreading and drying towel is, so that is how big the batch is.