Are you poisoned? The lead blood levels poll...

[RugerFanOH]

Dillon

[imashooter2]

I m only 36 and have been casting for about 10 years. I've yet to get tested, though I probably should. On this note, a friend pulled out a bottle of "Lead Free" wet wipes the other day. For removal of heavy metals from hands. I don't recall the actual brand name. Anyone else use these?

Only when a vendor puts them in a goodie bag at a match. Soap and water works just fine.

[rototerrier]

Just scored a 3, what do I win?

I use d-lead hand soap and cleaning spray on my bench. Like others, I cast under a vent and melt batches outdoors. Avoid licking my fingers while handling or around lead... and in general.

[AlaskaMike]

14 years after I first voted in this poll, and pretty much all the same comments are coming up repeatedly.

In 2007 I voted in the 11-25 mcg/dL category because I was stupid one day and had a mug of coffee nearby while I was melting down wheelweights with all the attendant crap--dead leaves, dried chew spit, etc. The smoke from that mess contains organic lead compounds which settled on the surface of my coffee that day, and were later ingested by me while sipping my coffee during breaks.

In 2021 I tested at about 2.5 mcg/dL despite casting in a closed garage repeatedly on a weekly basis, but using clean lead ingots. I also wash my hands after any handloading session like an intelligent person.

My casting and handloading activity in 2021 far exceed what I did back in 2007, and yet my blood lead levels are far lower. The old advice of "don't smoke or drink anything while melting or casting, and you should be fine" is completely borne out by my personal experience.

Metallic lead doesn't cause any problems. It's the organic lead compounds. Melt down your nasty wheel weights out in the open air. Don't breathe the smoke. Keep your coffee, cigarettes, or other consumables well away, and you'll be fine. Have a blood draw and get tested every couple of years, and then you'll know for certain. This isn't rocket science.

[oley55]

never been tested but have always wondered about all those sinkers I cinched down with my teeth as a kid. That aside I do try to avoid putting in a new pinch of tobacco while casting and reloading, but don't give it much of a thought when out shooting.

I do believe we non-occupational folks get way too worried about asbestos and lead exposure. If you are not in the stuff five days a week for eight hours a day, the chances of approaching the OSHA published numbers are very unlikely.

[max it]

finally my lead blood count is down to 6dll/mcg! this after a high of 20.
the main culprit is primers: cleaning brass, and indoor shooting together with picking up range brass. However casting and smelting lead is sure to have added to it. So yesterday i completed a course of IV Infusions for Iron Deficiency Anemia, sure to be involved in the blood lead issue. It made me weaker by far. Now coming back. Thank God and the Drs.
Stay Safe! see other threads on Lead in blood.
(i think i will double post this memo )

[Backcut]

Just got tested for the first time, 6.6. I have been reloading for only 3 years. Have not started casting yet, but have been melting down range scrap into ingots in preparation. Wearing a 3M respirator "out of an abundance of caution" when I melt.

[Conditor22]

You can get lead dust poisoning from decapping primers AND vibrator (dry) cleaning brass.

My latest lead test result:
LEAD, BLOOD (VENOUS) -
About this test

Details Component Results
Component Your Value Standard Range
Lead - Blood 15.2 ug/dL <=4.9 ug/dL


(NOTE)
INTERPRETIVE INFORMATION: Lead, Blood (Venous)
Elevated results may be due to skin or collection-related
contamination, including the use of a noncertified lead-free tube.
If contamination concerns exist due to elevated levels of blood
lead, confirmation with a second specimen collected in a certified
lead-free tube is recommended.
Information sources for reference intervals and interpretive
comments include the "CDC Response to the 2012 Advisory Committee
on Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Report" and the
"Recommendations for Medical Management of Adult Lead Exposure,
Environmental Health Perspectives, 2007." Thresholds and time
intervals for retesting, medical evaluation, and response vary by
state and regulatory body. Contact your State Department of Health
and/or applicable regulatory agency for specific guidance on
medical management recommendations.
Age Concentration Comment
All ages 5-9.9 ug/dL Adverse health effect
s are
possible, particularly in
children under 6 years of
age and pregnant women.
Discuss health risks
associated with continued
lead exposure. For children
and women who are or may
become pregnant, reduce
lead exposure.
All ages 10-19.9 ug/dL Reduced lead exposure and
increased biological
monitoring are recommended.
All ages 20-69.9 ug/dL Removal from lead exposure
and prompt medical
evaluation are recommended.
Consider chelation therapy
when concentrations exceed
50
ug/dL and symptoms of
lead toxicity are present.
Less than 19 Greater than Critical. Immediate medical
years of age 44.9 ug/dL evaluation is recommended.
Consider chelation therapy
when symptoms of lead
toxicity are present.
Greater than 19 Greater than Critical. Immediate medical
years of age 69.9 ug/dL evaluation is recommended
Consider chelation therapy
when symptoms of lead
toxicity are present.
This test was developed and its performance characteristics
determined by ARUP Laboratories. It has not been cleared or
approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. This test was
performed in a CLIA certified laboratory and is intended for
clinical purposes.
Performed By: ARUP Laboratories
500 Chipeta Way
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Lab
oratory Director: Tracy I. George, MD

[ourway77]

What are some of the symptoms Does a routine physical blood test reveal high levels

[RugerFanOH]

You do not want to wait for symptoms, be proactive, measure the blood levels and act accordingly.

[fn1889m]

Someone wrote: “I dropped steadily once I started being more careful of the dust in spent brass. Digging through buckets of brass and the vibrating polisher were the culprits.”

I had my doctor do a test the last time I had my cholesterol tested. It came back a “4”. The lab used “5” as the cut off. Dr was unconcerned. I was more concerned than the doctor. I couldn’t figure out where the “4” came from unless it’s from cleaning brass. I only melt and cast outside. No food or drink. But I deprime and clean the primer pockets by hand, and use dry media for polishing in a vibrating tumbler, indoors. I think I can clean both of those processes up with a little effort. I put a solid lid on the vibrating tumbler, replacing the ventilated lid. (I’m not sure why Lyman put a ventilated lid on their vibrating Tumblr in the first place, but I replaced mine with a frisbee.) I also collect range lead, but only when the ground is wet, which is pretty often in the Pacific Northwest.

I like this thread. I don’t think concern about lead is a conspiracy thing. If you don’t like the thread you don’t have to read it. But I appreciate knowing what numbers other people get, and what they do to reduce their lead intake. Safety is more than just muzzle control, maybe.

[imashooter2]

Concern about lead isn’t a conspiracy, but the fear is overblown and the standards doctors now use before they tell you there is a problem are ridiculous. 5 for a developing infant is a concern. Not damaging, but a concern to eliminate the source before levels rise to damaging. 5 for a grown adult is low and no concern at all.

We are a long way down the road from leaded gas and ghetto babies eating paint chips.

[rockshooter]

switching from dry tumbling to wet tumbling dropped my lead levels from 8.2 to 6.3 over the last 6 mo.
Loren

[max it]

You can get lead dust poisoning from decapping primers AND vibrator (dry) cleaning brass.

My latest lead test result:
LEAD, BLOOD (VENOUS) -
About this test

Details Component Results
Component Your Value Standard Range
Lead - Blood 15.2 ug/dL <=4.9 ug/dL


(NOTE)
INTERPRETIVE INFORMATION: Lead, Blood (Venous)
Elevated results may be due to skin or collection-related
contamination, including the use of a noncertified lead-free tube.
If contamination concerns exist due to elevated levels of blood
lead, confirmation with a second specimen collected in a certified
lead-free tube is recommended.
Information sources for reference intervals and interpretive
comments include the "CDC Response to the 2012 Advisory Committee
on Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Report" and the
"Recommendations for Medical Management of Adult Lead Exposure,
Environmental Health Perspectives, 2007." Thresholds and time
intervals for retesting, medical evaluation, and response vary by
state and regulatory body. Contact your State Department of Health
and/or applicable regulatory agency for specific guidance on
medical management recommendations.
Age Concentration Comment
All ages 5-9.9 ug/dL Adverse health effect
s are
possible, particularly in
children under 6 years of
age and pregnant women.
Discuss health risks
associated with continued
lead exposure. For children
and women who are or may
become pregnant, reduce
lead exposure.
All ages 10-19.9 ug/dL Reduced lead exposure and
increased biological
monitoring are recommended.
All ages 20-69.9 ug/dL Removal from lead exposure
and prompt medical
evaluation are recommended.
Consider chelation therapy
when concentrations exceed
50
ug/dL and symptoms of
lead toxicity are present.
Less than 19 Greater than Critical. Immediate medical
years of age 44.9 ug/dL evaluation is recommended.
Consider chelation therapy
when symptoms of lead
toxicity are present.
Greater than 19 Greater than Critical. Immediate medical
years of age 69.9 ug/dL evaluation is recommended
Consider chelation therapy
when symptoms of lead
toxicity are present.
This test was developed and its performance characteristics
determined by ARUP Laboratories. It has not been cleared or
approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. This test was
performed in a CLIA certified laboratory and is intended for
clinical purposes.
Performed By: ARUP Laboratories
500 Chipeta Way
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Lab
oratory Director: Tracy I. George, MD

Most accurate explanation I have seen!

My bLL is under 6mcg/dl last test. That because I missed the indoor range and dry tumbling and picking up range brass.
This was not because I felt like it. This is because I got NPH (water on the brain, and a tumer on my spine) Long store short I am fine.

But what are the effects of the lead. Mad Hatter comes to mind?
The NPH is attributed to the spine surgery. So what did the elevated lead level do to me?
Misc ramblings.
ask for test 599 at Quest.
Much obliged, Max

[dondiego]

Most accurate explanation I have seen!

My bLL is under 6mcg/dl last test. That because I missed the indoor range and dry tumbling and picking up range brass.
This was not because I felt like it. This is because I got NPH (water on the brain, and a tumer on my spine) Long store short I am fine.

But what are the effects of the lead. Mad Hatter comes to mind?
The NPH is attributed to the spine surgery. So what did the elevated lead level do to me?
Misc ramblings.
ask for test 599 at Quest.
Much obliged, Max

Mad hatter was totally mercury related.

[Minerat]

You left off one choice - You eat lunchables.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/healt...ool-cafeteria/

[35 Rem]

I got tested about a year ago. My doctor looked at me kind of funny when I requested a lead test be added to my blood tests so I told her I was a shooter and cast my own lead bullets. Don't recall my exact numbers but the results were basically negligible. I figured there would be some level of lead at least. All through college myself and my roomate cast many thousands of bullets in our dorm room to sell so we could fund all our reloading component costs. We cast right on the desks we often ate on. We also didn't do any sissy smelting outside. Dirty raw WW's were dropped into the pot as we cast right there in the dorm room with smoke rolling out of the pot. This was also less than 10 feet from the beds we slept in. And like typical college age boys, we never even thought to clean anything. If that doesn't get lead in your blood, then bullet casting is no threat at all.

[max it]

Good on you!

[gwpercle]

50 + years casting Boolits ... and the Danged Lunchables are going to do me in !
Gary

[georgerkahn]

You left off one choice - You eat lunchables.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/healt...ool-cafeteria/

Admittedly lead paint chips do not contribute to a healthy diet -- I recall a Forensic Files t.v. episode where a toddler --- playing on the porch -- accidentally ingested enough to kill her! Peeling paint simply got on her hands while playing with toys. Over time...
The Consumer Reports just listed twelve food products containing lead, with the percentage of U S max per day added:
Lunchables Turkey and Cheddar Cracker Stackers: 74%
Lunchables Pizza with Pepperoni: 73%
Lunchables Extra Cheesy Pizza: 69%
Armour LunchMakers Cracker Crunchers Ham & American: 67%
Target’s Good & Gather Uncured Ham and Cheddar Cheese Lunch Kit: 57%
Armour LunchMakers Cracker Crunchers Turkey & American: 44%
Greenfield Natural Meat Co. Smoked Turkey & Cheese Lunch Kit: 37%
Target’s Good & Gather Smoked Turkey and Cheddar Cheese Lunch Kit: 30%
Oscar Mayer Natural Honey Smoked Turkey Breast: 24%
Oscar Mayer Natural Hickory Smoked Uncured Ham: 21%
P3 Turkey Ham Cheddar: 10%
P3 Turkey Colby Jack Almonds: 7%
It seems interesting -- in a depressing sort of way -- that these products in fact have the amount of found.
geo