Comparing Acute Toxicity of Gunshot Particles, from Firing Conventional and Lead-Free Ammunition, in Pulmonary Epithelial Cell Cultures

Abstract

Numerous studies demonstrated that the use of lead (Pb)-containing ammunition is associated with mainly chronic health problems and also is a burden on the environment and wildlife. Recently, a number of reports showed evidence of undesirable acute health effects related to the use of newly developed Pb-free small-caliber ammunition. In this study, particles from leaded and Pb-free ammunition were collected in liquid collection medium, in a highly controlled chamber, while firing a pistol (9 mm) or a rifle (7.62 × 51 mm). The emitted particles were typically smaller than 4 μm, with the great majority in even smaller size ranges, as shown by gravimetrical analysis and a multistage impactor. Chemical analysis revealed significant differences in content and concentration of several metals in the particles. After administration of the liquids to alveolar and bronchial in vitro cell systems, particles were taken up by the cells; the Pb-free particles displayed higher cytotoxicity (EC50 = 2 μg/cm(2)) than particles from Pb ammunition. High correlation factors (>0.9) were found between cell death and content of copper and zinc. Particles from both Pb-containing and Pb-free ammunition were able to induce oxidative stress and the proinflammatory marker interleukin (IL)-8 in both in vitro systems. These results support previous findings that indicate an association between gunshot emissions and metal fume fever. This study demonstrates the usefulness of combining chemical data with biological in vitro responses in assessing acute toxicological effects from emissions from firing both Pb and Pb-free ammunition.

The toxic potential of a fourth‐generation E‐cigarette on human lung cell lines and tissue explants

“…For E‐cig vapour (EVE) and cigarette smoke (CSE) extracts, 13 puffs/drags were collected into a 10 L round bottom flask subjected to negative pressure (water aspirator), with a draw rate of 1.5 seconds at 30‐second intervals. The collected aerosols were then bubbled through 20 mL Dulbecco Modified Eagle's medium culture media using an impinger system, as shown in Figure and previously described (Bergstrom, Ekstrand‐Hammarstrom, Hagglund, & Wingfors, ). This procedure was conducted three times to obtain stock extracts.…”

Occupational Exposure to Metals in Shooting Ranges: A Biomonitoring Study

“…Shooting ranges are used for occupational and recreational training in many countries. In the past decades, various studies have evaluated metal exposure from ammunition [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18], [19], with a focus on lead, as demonstrated in a recent review [20]. Nowadays, however, lead exposure has been reduced by measures such as better ventilation systems, jacketed ammunition, and lead-free primers [21].…”

Metallic Fumes at Indoor Military Shooting Ranges: Lead, Copper, Nickel, and Zinc in Different Fractions of Airborne Particulate Matter

“…Depending on the efficiency of the ventilation, number of fired gunshots, ammunition type and propellant, and other factors, air can contain various metals, such as Cu, Pb, Zn, and Sb, and gaseous components such as CO, CO 2 , NO, NO, NH 3 , HCN, and CH 4 [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. Although lead-free ammunition does not produce Pb, various metals (e. g. Cu, Zn, B, K, Fe), as well as organic compounds such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons and aldehydes, are present [8,10,11]. Organic compounds in ammunition are found in the propellant powder and primer mixture.…”