Lead Poisoning: Exposure, Effects, & Preventative Measures for Shooters

This video is meant as a means for shooters to gain awareness of lead exposure during shooting and to give practical tips on preventative measures one can take to protect themselves from lead poisoning. Once lead enters the body, it stores in the bones and is very difficult to remove. It has powerful negative effects on the body at low levels, and even more so when levels become higher, of course. I've been a serious shooter for about 5 years, taking classes pretty frequently and practicing often. I've been an Instructor for a little over 3 years, spending an average of 15-20 hours/week in an indoor shooting range. My exposure has been from all three levels including inhalation, absorption, and ingestion. My level was tested in April of 2011 and had already reached 7. The range that had me tested did not tell me my level, so I had no idea there was an issue. I really wasn't concerned since no one contacted me to let me know it was elevated. I became concerned enough about my symptoms in July of 2012 that I went to a doctor who listened to me and predicted I had some kind of heavy metal poisoning. He guessed it was either mercury or lead. His prediction was right. I had zero mercury, but my lead level was 14. He said that was the highest level he'd seen in his Internal Medicine practice in 35 years. We started oral chelation and hot water soaks to attempt to draw the lead out of the bones, releasing it into the bloodstream so it could be eliminated. I started talking with staff at my local range about improving ventilation, which they did. I began using gloves when cleaning, washing hands very frequenlty, and stopped touching my face while at the range. I've also stopped all eating and drinking while there and force myself to take breaks and go out for meals. I've been doing this since August when I found out I had this issue.

I just tested again in December 2012, hoping to see a decrease in my level, but it was up to 15. The doc thinks this is because of the chelating agents releasing so much into the bloodstream. We just added 3 more chelating agents and doubled the dosage on several of the ones I'm already taking. He predicts this will take 15-20 years to get out of my system if I stop exposing myself to the lead. Unfortunately, what I love to do requires exposure to some degree. I am cutting my schedule back some, forcing me to schedule students out several weeks because this way I stay booked up 3-4 weeks into the future. But, if it helps my health, I just have to make that choice.

My symptoms are:
1) severe numbness, tingling, and burning in the forearms, wrists, and fingers with much greater intensity on the right side, causing me to have to train more with my support hand and even consider holstering on the support side. The lead has actually exacerbated the Cubital Tunnel Syndrome issues I had prior to the lead exposure, making them much worse.
2) severe fatigue -- I have crashes similar to what hypoglycemic people experience
3) Brain Fog, inability to focus or multi-task...mental acuity takes much more effort
4) stomach pain at times (this is not constant)

If you have any physical issues that have begun since you started spending increased time in the range, please take this seriously and get yourself tested. A lead level as low as 2 can cause you to have a much greater risk of heart attack, stroke, heart disease. It can cause a baby in the womb of an effected mother to have brain damage.

All the music for my videos is royalty free and comes from this website:
http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-...

• Category

  Education

[1943crab]

I'm very sorry for you. Somehow, the system failed you. I have been shooting for 60 years, more seriously for the last 20 years (400 to 500 rounds per month), but it's been all outside. I also reload my own ammo. I clean my guns after every use. I know that it is serious because some of my relatives suffered from lead poisoning after working in a battery factory. Apparently some people are more susceptible than others. I seem to be ok but I do still take precautions.

[KeepingPiece2010]

I agree. I think there's just not much stress on teaching this to people when they begin shooting. I think Shooting Ranges should be taking some responsibility for education as well. I'm teaching this to all my students now and encouraging them to develop a habit of cleaning the lead off their hands before leaving to their automobiles. I wish someone had stressed it to me, but ultimately we're each responsible for ourselves, and I failed myself. I sure wish I hadn't.

[SierraOscarLima1]

Ek, I never thought about lead poisoning from just cleaning in general. I've cleaned a few rifles on the kitchen table, I lay down towels first and clean up after, but still a bit scary. Definitely going to take steps to only clean outside or in the garage! I will pray for you, thanks for the info.

[KeepingPiece2010]

Thanks for your prayers, SOL1. I honestly never thought it was such a serious issue either. I wish I'd known in the beginning, then I'd not be in this situation. :) I hope my struggles help others.

[shouldibehere]

Im surprised everyone in the shooting sport doesn't have some degree of lead poisoning. Do you know if there is a minimum level of lead that is acceptable in the body? Have you considered wearing a dust mask to help with the inhalation aspect?

[KeepingPiece2010]

Oh, Sorry Joe...I flaked on the last part of your question. The lead particulates are so small, they'll go right through a common dust mask. It take a serious mask with respirators to protect you from lead, which would make it impossible for me to communicate with students. They're already intimidated by shooting, and me looking like an alien and sounding like Darth Vader may make that situation worse. LOL! :)

[hartstudebakerkid]

You never did say what you lead level is. I did plumbing and I have been reloading for 25 years including casting and shooting for 38. That 24 hour urine sampling for metals sure would not be fun for a woman. Last time I was tested I was at around 20 ppm but I have been doing a oral chelation for the past two years so my Pb level isnt getting worse. You could have other things goping on to give you some of those symptoms.

[JLeYang]

Uh... hand sanitizer isn't for lead removal...

[CitizensInArms]

I always try to keep my hands away from my face and keep hand sanitizer in the truck, sometimes just don't remember. Hope you'll start feeling better soon.

[jrygrim]

It is less prevalent when it comes to inhalation you are still being contaminated. Most outdoor ranges don't have bathrooms though so you should bring some sort of soap and throw away water to wash some extremities after you're done shooting.

[cathy c]

i only shoot outdoors and was wondering if this would be less problamatic than using an indoor range. thanks and take care oh and i really like your videos!!!

[Trace O'Liberty]

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I am so glad they figured it out now rather than later. I had no idea this was even a possibility. Thank you for the information.