Avoiding lead exposure

steve_of_AR · February 16, 2006, 07:11 PM

I'm new to reloading and I'm trying to decide where to put my reloading stuff. I'd all but decided to put it inside the house (as opposed to the garage), when I read warnings in a couple of loading books about possible lead exposure. I've got a couple of young kids in the house, and though they won't be allowed to get get at any of the equipment, I'm worried about lead exposure in the room anyway. Unfortunately the books weren't too specific about the sources of lead (aside from mentioning residue from lead bullets). All my bullets will be copper coated - what else would the lead come from (primer residue, it must be?), and what to do about managing exposure?

Thanks
Steve

mete · February 16, 2006, 07:34 PM

Lead poisoning for shooters is more of a problem when shooting since you can get more particles an vapour from the heated lead .This is especially true of indoor ranges and most dangerous if the range is poorly ventilated !! Reloading is not too much of a problem especially if the bullets are copper plated.Keep you reloading area clean and always wash your hands thoroughly after reloading.

drvector · February 16, 2006, 09:26 PM

Steve,

Actually the biggest problem isn’t so much having lead bullets in the house but rather if you are casting your own bullets. In that case, obviously you need to melt lead (as well as perhaps tin) and that’s something you should do in an extremely well ventilated area (or outside) since you will be creating some lead vapor. But re-loading lead and/or jacketed bullets does not necessarily present a lead problem as long as your children don’t play around with the lead bullets. And as mete says, it’s a good idea to wash your hands after a reloading session.

regards

Ken O · February 17, 2006, 09:35 PM

Lead is soft and if you are using cast bullets the lead can rub off on your hands, so wash after reloading. Casting bullets doesn't vaporize lead, the tempetures used are too low, it is not a problem, if you get into bullet casting you will research and find what the parameters are. If the base of your jacketed bullets are exposed lead, it does reach a temperature that vaporizes when shooting, but shouldn't be a problem unless you are shooting indoors. The biggest source of lead exposure is when you tumble your cases, the vaporized lead left in the case is removed by the tumbling media and is in the dust, so keep it covered when tumbling, and try not to kick up to much dust when separating.

Hankster · February 23, 2006, 08:36 PM

I have been casting bullets for what seems to be forever. For that reason I refuse to tell you how old I am.
I also shoot at least once, sometimes twice a week in an indoor range. I am also a firearm instructor and officer with a large police service in Canada.
I get my blood checked regularly for lead content and have never had any problems with this respect.
A shooting acquaintance of mine is employed with a paper mill and for a while was pouring lead babbit regularly as part of his job duties. As a result of this, the lead content in his blood was high and he had to stop melting lead for awhile till the content of lead was reduced in his blood.
If you follow a few simple rules you should not have a problem. I cast only during the summer in my garage with all the doors and windows open. I also do not eat or for any reason place my fingers in or near my mouth till they are washed. As mentioned in the other replies, stir up as little dust when separating your cases from the media in your tumbler and educate your children not to play or handle lead, and if they do, get them to wash your hands. The most important, I think, is to watch when you cast to educate persons around you of the danger of lead if it comes into contact with water. I remember when my son was very young, during the summer months, playing with the hose, squirt guns etc. I tried to isolate myself from the rest of the world while casting to avoid accidents with lead and water. Lastly, keep your work and loading area clean. I hope this helps you out. Take care

steve_of_AR · February 23, 2006, 09:10 PM

Thanks to all of you who replied. I'm not too worried now since I won't be casting bullets nor shooting indoors.

Hansker, glad to hear about your blood tests, for your sake and also as a datapoint that can give a little peace of mind for the rest of us.

February 16, 2006, 07:11 PM	#1
steve_of_AR Member Join Date: January 23, 2006 Location: AR Posts: 18	Avoiding lead exposure I'm new to reloading and I'm trying to decide where to put my reloading stuff. I'd all but decided to put it inside the house (as opposed to the garage), when I read warnings in a couple of loading books about possible lead exposure. I've got a couple of young kids in the house, and though they won't be allowed to get get at any of the equipment, I'm worried about lead exposure in the room anyway. Unfortunately the books weren't too specific about the sources of lead (aside from mentioning residue from lead bullets). All my bullets will be copper coated - what else would the lead come from (primer residue, it must be?), and what to do about managing exposure? Thanks Steve

February 16, 2006, 09:26 PM	#3
drvector Member Join Date: March 28, 2005 Location: Northeast Posts: 69	lead Steve, Actually the biggest problem isn’t so much having lead bullets in the house but rather if you are casting your own bullets. In that case, obviously you need to melt lead (as well as perhaps tin) and that’s something you should do in an extremely well ventilated area (or outside) since you will be creating some lead vapor. But re-loading lead and/or jacketed bullets does not necessarily present a lead problem as long as your children don’t play around with the lead bullets. And as mete says, it’s a good idea to wash your hands after a reloading session. regards __________________ Regards kdb

February 23, 2006, 09:10 PM	#6
steve_of_AR Member Join Date: January 23, 2006 Location: AR Posts: 18	Great news Thanks to all of you who replied. I'm not too worried now since I won't be casting bullets nor shooting indoors. Hansker, glad to hear about your blood tests, for your sake and also as a datapoint that can give a little peace of mind for the rest of us.

February 16, 2006, 07:34 PM	#2
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	Lead poisoning for shooters is more of a problem when shooting since you can get more particles an vapour from the heated lead .This is especially true of indoor ranges and most dangerous if the range is poorly ventilated !! Reloading is not too much of a problem especially if the bullets are copper plated.Keep you reloading area clean and always wash your hands thoroughly after reloading.

February 17, 2006, 09:35 PM	#4
Ken O Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Location: Half way between Grayling and Cadillac, Michigan Posts: 353	Lead is soft and if you are using cast bullets the lead can rub off on your hands, so wash after reloading. Casting bullets doesn't vaporize lead, the tempetures used are too low, it is not a problem, if you get into bullet casting you will research and find what the parameters are. If the base of your jacketed bullets are exposed lead, it does reach a temperature that vaporizes when shooting, but shouldn't be a problem unless you are shooting indoors. The biggest source of lead exposure is when you tumble your cases, the vaporized lead left in the case is removed by the tumbling media and is in the dust, so keep it covered when tumbling, and try not to kick up to much dust when separating.

February 23, 2006, 08:36 PM	#5
Hankster Member Join Date: February 20, 2006 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 36	I have been casting bullets for what seems to be forever. For that reason I refuse to tell you how old I am. I also shoot at least once, sometimes twice a week in an indoor range. I am also a firearm instructor and officer with a large police service in Canada. I get my blood checked regularly for lead content and have never had any problems with this respect. A shooting acquaintance of mine is employed with a paper mill and for a while was pouring lead babbit regularly as part of his job duties. As a result of this, the lead content in his blood was high and he had to stop melting lead for awhile till the content of lead was reduced in his blood. If you follow a few simple rules you should not have a problem. I cast only during the summer in my garage with all the doors and windows open. I also do not eat or for any reason place my fingers in or near my mouth till they are washed. As mentioned in the other replies, stir up as little dust when separating your cases from the media in your tumbler and educate your children not to play or handle lead, and if they do, get them to wash your hands. The most important, I think, is to watch when you cast to educate persons around you of the danger of lead if it comes into contact with water. I remember when my son was very young, during the summer months, playing with the hose, squirt guns etc. I tried to isolate myself from the rest of the world while casting to avoid accidents with lead and water. Lastly, keep your work and loading area clean. I hope this helps you out. Take care