Lead won't penetrate your skin - BUT

[CrazyDave]

Hi guys,

I think the worst exposure comes from breathing the vaporized lead particles when shooting powder burners.

It's a good idea to get a test done to see what your baseline is. My was at 8. After a bullseye match when we had wind blowing the smoke back at us I got tested again and my lead level when up to 39.

I think the risk is pretty low handling pellets if you wash your hands and use common sense.

I do use the d-lead soap. 

 

[Scotty1]

As I kid, I too crimped split shot to my line with my teeth. My dad was an electrician, and had saved a small glass vile full of mercury from early “quiet switches”, we used too submerse a finger into it because it felt cool. I remember trying to scoot a bunch of little mercury balls together after many spills. Fun times. 

 

[Ezana4CE]

Hi guys,

I think the worst exposure comes from breathing the vaporized lead particles when shooting powder burners.

It's a good idea to get a test done to see what your baseline is. My was at 8. After a bullseye match when we had wind blowing the smoke back at us I got tested again and my lead level when up to 39.

I think the risk is pretty low handling pellets if you wash your hands and use common sense.

I do use the d-lead soap. 

@CrazyDave Thank you for sharing your test results and experience. Since you mentioned it, I do wonder how having a shroud that vents lead dust right in front of where it affixes to the breech affects shooters. Even in open spaces, if the wind blows lead dust back towards the shooter I imagine that the long term effects could be detrimental to some extent. 

 

[qball]

Hummm…..guess I better start using these.

https://www.amazon.com/Tifanso-Approx-210-Disposable-Fingertips-Protector/dp/B0827NC43F/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1XTUEP7NY5XF1&keywords=fingertip+gloves&qid=1647917390&sprefix=Finger+tip+glo%2Caps%2C163&sr=8-3





@crazydave: thanks for sharing! Definitely need to be more careful around lead and handling pellets. 

 

[Healthservices]

Uh... of course I'm at home with a big order of fries reading this. At least this time I'm using a fork!



Allen

 

[scopecreep...]

One word, TWEEZERS. Also recommend for folks with reduced manual dexterity.

 

[CrazyDave]

After my high numbers I actually called the company that makes the D lead soap and wipes. They said the lead on the hands isn't the problem...it's what you breath. Use common sense, wash your hands and you should be safe. Get a baseline test if you are concerned.

If you want to go the extra mile then here's some homework...

https://www.usashooting.org/library/Youth_Development/HS_and_College_Programs/LeadMgtGuideUSASCMP.pdf

 

[tor47]

Let us hope the chemicals in the wipes, is not nore harmfull than the issue with lead. 

 

[boscoebrea]

friend died of too much iron in his system,plastic bottles should be outlawed.

To much lead in the system can and does deform a fetus...why it was outlawed in shot shells and paint.

Mercury is even worse....So many say ,"what I got away with", too many can't....

Alcohol abuse.....causes bad shooting.

"Stay Safe My Friend".

 

[MrP]

Let us hope the chemicals in the wipes, is not nore harmfull than the issue with lead.

As we use those same chemicals in laundry detergent and household cleaners and get 1000x more exposure over our lifetimes. Not that I’m unconcerned over them but using D-Lead or similar isn’t going to boost your overall intake substantially.

Not to be a hypochondriac because at 62 I’ve already ingested enough junk to do whatever bad stuff it’s going to do… but I am concerned for children and want to minimize their exposure.

My personal opinion based on some data but mostly anecdotal is that micro plastic in our food stream is our greatest risk in an otherwise clean middle class American environment. When someone offers me a bottled water that’s been sitting in a 120° trunk or warehouse for six months I know I’m getting a huge dose compared to fresh water (even from Troy haha).

I feel the same way about plastic water bottles and such. And aluminum cans are just plastic bags surrounded by an aluminum shell.


i don’t worry too much about myself but for my daughter it is a different story. 


one thing i read n one of tue forums - if your skin is sweaty, lead will be absorbed through it and the rule of lead not entering through skin will not apply. I haven’t verified this, and don’t know how big a difference sweat makes

 

[2L8]

Thank you Mike.

Patrick

 

[lbc_PSI]

You could also use these...

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Swingline%2C+SWI54032%2C+Rubber+Finger&crid=3QDS6UCKJYQJ6&sprefix=swingline%2C+swi54032%2C+rubber+finger%2Caps%2C161&ref=nb_sb_noss

https://www.amazon.com/Lind-Kitchen-Disposable-Protective-Fingerstall/dp/B07SN3BFHK/ref=sr_1_23?crid=3QDS6UCKJYQJ6&keywords=Swingline%2C+SWI54032%2C+Rubber+Finger&qid=1647968359&sprefix=swingline%2C+swi54032%2C+rubber+finger%2Caps%2C161&sr=8-23

..and I know what you're thinking..just don't say it..LOL

Very tactile and grippy..added benefit..they remind you to keep your fingers away from your nose and eyes.

 

[theotherpursuit]

There are several other brands of lead removal wipes in addition to D-Lead. If you go to a professional paint store there are less expensive versions of the same thing. What you want is a “Detergent” that will lift and absorb heavy metals. Then you wash your hands with regular soap and water to get rid of the detergent.

I used to shoot competition pistol, several + hundreds of rounds per week and had some blood tests done, shooting indoors even at a “good” ventilated range definitely raised my levels. Shooting with a suppressor blows a lot of lead dust back at you too.

The scariest scenario is a kid (developing nervous system) playing near a target where pulverized lead dust accumulates. Absolute worst is under a pellet trap in your basement. I would never shoot steel targets indoors, putty or soft backstops only.

From what I have read in the past, lead is worse for kids with developing brains. If so, Frankly is correct.

Not to say it is safe to do so, and now that we know better, shouldn’t we be more careful? As a boy, I shot mostly bbs, but I would keep pellets in my mouth while loading clips on several occasions..

top

 

[Ezana4CE]

You could also use these...

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Swingline%2C+SWI54032%2C+Rubber+Finger&crid=3QDS6UCKJYQJ6&sprefix=swingline%2C+swi54032%2C+rubber+finger%2Caps%2C161&ref=nb_sb_noss

https://www.amazon.com/Lind-Kitchen-Disposable-Protective-Fingerstall/dp/B07SN3BFHK/ref=sr_1_23?crid=3QDS6UCKJYQJ6&keywords=Swingline%2C+SWI54032%2C+Rubber+Finger&qid=1647968359&sprefix=swingline%2C+swi54032%2C+rubber+finger%2Caps%2C161&sr=8-23

..and I know what you're thinking..just don't say it..LOL

Very tactile and grippy..added benefit..they remind you to keep your fingers away from your nose and eyes.

I remember when some boys showed up with these in high school. The explanation I got for them back then was jaw dropping. 

 

[CyberDyneSystems]

I use D-Lead hand soap, similar product;

https://cleanerscart.com/d-lead-hand-soap/?sku=4222ES-001&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5-WRBhCKARIsAAId9FndycqQEiCt6FaLfYQF5Oce7tJThtwMM2oPkQC5kARx-uzr1pBk3UsaAu28EALw_wcB

Found out about it because they use it at the range I go to.

FYI, the idea that lead will NOT penetrate the skin is not wholly accurate. Some of us are extremely sensitive to such things. Some, shortly after handling just one pellet, can taste it in their mouth as the metals get into their system.

 

[MikeAllen]

@CyberDyneSystems the hand soap looks like what I'll buy when I run out of the wipes - thanks for the information.

 

[MikeAllen]

@CrazyDave - I agree - it's what you breathe or otherwise ingest which can also happen from what's on your hands i.e. hand to mouth, hand to eyes, etc. I often have a lot of hand to mouth going on when I'm shooting behind my workshop   .

 

[beerthief]

"Got it – I used to run with a #2 pencil in my hand and never shot my eye out with my BB gun either! Still alive and able to see through a Hawke Vantage 6-24×44 scope clearly! "

No , you don't shoot your eye out, you shoot the other guy's eye out when you show them your new gun . 

Got a BB gun for Xmas , Grazed the side of my dads head . I had to look at that gun leaning next to the door for all spring till June till i could finally take it in my hands again . 

Powerful lesson . 

 

[jking]

I see a number of people have replied to this thread. I don't know what a dangerous dosage of lead is even. I see people really worried about handling pellets. If you're that worried about lead poisoning maybe you should just leave off shooting? Honestly if you simply keep your hands out of your mouth at the bench and wash them before you eat your supper. Maybe refrain from picking your nose while you're shooting, you'll probably be just fine.

Nothing like a little common sense, thanks OldCrow, says the kid that played with mercury, road a bicycle without a helmet, drank from a water hose and stayed out all day doing things that would have really upset my folks if they knew exactly what we did. We couldn't have imagined staying in the house playing video games with a cell phone as a baby sitter. Oh, the good ole days, wouldn't have changed a thing. Anyone in their late 50's to 60's can probably relate.

jking

 

[Rawroots]

The first 20 years being a dealership mechanic we all blew the asbestos into closed door work area and next 25 years a little more careful, definitely pinched sinkers on to fish lines with teeth, painted cars with only paper mask and now politicians has the whole world afraid of a flue virus, let me check if I'm still male , yup still ther, thank God.