I went to see my doctor last fall for a physical, and for the lab tests, he threw in heavy metals testing as well.
My lead levels were a bit on the 'high' side of the average range he said - I forget the number - but still not detrimental to health! He asked me how I was getting the exposure so I explained to him the frequent handling / use of cast lead bullets. He informed me that lead can enter the body in numerous ways, but in my case, it was likely entering in two ways:
1.) Inhaling lead fumes.
2.) Absorption through the skin.
He suggested that I buy THREE THINGS to reduce my lead levels:
1.) Buy a FULL NATO SPEC GAS MASK WITH 40MM NBC FILTER. He said that inhaling MELTED LEAD fumes is different from inhaling lead dust in the air! Typical dust masks & filtration masks you can buy at the hardware store most likely are NOT SUFFICIENT to keeping lead out of your lungs, and it can also get in through the mucous membranes near your eyes, etc... So a full-face mask is recommended for added protection.
2.) Wear Leather Gloves, and try to NEVER touch the lead with my bare skin if I can use gloves instead - he even recommended gloves when shooting so I don't touch it when loading magazines.
3.) Buy a Lead Decontamination Soap. Whenever you finish making bullets, loading ammo, or shooting your guns, he said just wash from your hands up to your elbows with the decontamination soap, and wash your face with regular soap, and a washcloth after you get home from the shooting range. DO NOT EAT/DRINK ANYTHING BEFORE WASHING.
I've since done all of these three things! I bought a cheap surplus Israeli M15 Gas Mask, a new NATO standard NBC Filter, decontamination soap, and used leather gloves when loading ammo... Then I went back for monthly testing (as per his orders), and by January my lead levels had PLUMMETED! He said they were on the low-end of normal, or virtually nonexistent.
He said he has never seen a lead count drop that quickly, noting that it usually only drops a couple 2-3 points in ~6 months or so. Mine fell quite a bit in only ~4-5 months! Just by using a gas mask with good filter, leather gloves, and a decontamination soap (Called D-Lead Hand Soap)!!!
I seriously think the two biggest factors were switching to a full NBC Mask (the neighbors probably think I'm cooking up Meth or something, :lol: ), and the use of the decontamination soap!