Originally Posted by
Gartenmeister
I'm obviously not very active here but I've just stumbled across this thread while looking for a little info on a new-to-me cartridge. I've read back a couple pages.
Some here may be interested in my experience.
On January 27th of this year I participated in a work-day at my club's indoor range, which was approx 2hrs of a Saturday morning. We rearranged range fixtures, cleaned out target pits and unfortunately some guys swept the range. I was somewhat aware of the lead hazard and took the precautions of wearing gloves, not touching my face, avoiding food/drink, removing my work clothing outdoors for separate laundering and I showered immediately upon returning home. What I did not do was wear any kind of mask or respirator, and this turned out to be a grave mistake. Out of the bunch of 10 or so guys, most more "senior" than me, only one wore a respirator. Turns out that fellow had prior experience with lead poisoning.
Anyway, I went to work in the afternoon and didn't feel great. By the next morning I was acutely ill. I did make it to church but that's about the last thing I did for the next four days.
My symptoms were:
-extreme fatigue. I would not move beyond my computer chair, family room chair and bed. I did not change out of my pajamas for a couple days. Did not go outdoors. Could not work, do chores, or help with kids. I must have eaten something but not much. Slept upwards of 12hrs per day, often falling asleep while sitting upright in a chair.
-persistent awful metallic taste in my mouth
-mild nausea and generally sick/ill (flu-like) feeling
-headaches, and I don't get headaches
-Cognitive impairment. This was extensive. As an example I could hear questions from my wife and understand what was being asked but could not formulate answers so often would not respond
-irritability to the point of not wanting any human contact
I got an appointment to see my doctor Thursday afternoon, which coincidentally was the first day I felt well enough to go out. The doc didn't fully understand the situation (and I wasn't in much condition to explain) but he was more than willing to order the BLL test which I had drawn immediately. The result was a BLL of 44.7. After that doc became quite concerned. Following consultation with local toxicologist it was decided to not treat with chelation but to remove exposure and monitor.
Of course I stopped all shooting related activities. Subsequent tests at two weeks had BLL at 42.2 and at seven weeks 32.2. Fatigue/illness dissipated after a week or so. Metallic taste came and went through mid-March. Cognitive impairment has improved but is still present, manifesting itself in several ways such as forgetfulness & short-term memory loss, difficulty with simple math and reduced reading comprehension. Increased irritability is also still present. Doc is going to monitor/test until BLL is normal, <5 I think.
It is impossible to know what my BLL was before the work day, and I did routinely shoot 2 evenings a week at the club, so it is very likely that I had an elevated level to start. My intention in sharing my story is to give a heads-up on symptoms, and to make clear that it is possible to get very, very sick from lead exposure. And that's not even considering the possible long-term consequences. It's a bad deal, and its no joke. So to those of you making light of it: stop. To those who shoot/cast/reload and take the basic precautions, I highly doubt you have anything to worry about but be careful and be aware of possible symptoms. And to those who shoot indoors or are otherwise exposed to lead dust, you might want to get a BLL test and reduce exposure. It can definitely make you sick.
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! This sure seems a more positive "reason" for asking to be tested than possible opening of scary doors, so to speak, re -- none of their business, imho -- that I cast and shoot lead bullets.
