Elevated Blood Lead Levels Related to the Use of Firearms

Cook, Jacqueline M; Sakr, Carine J.; Redlich, Carrie A.; DeLoreto, Albert L.

doi:10.1097/jom.0000000000000553

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Since the 1970s, firearms and shooting ranges have been recognized as high risk for elevated lead exposure [ 1 , 2 ]. Mean blood lead levels (BLL) observed in studies of users of shooting ranges have ranged from 10 µg/dL to over 40 µg/dL [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Several studies have shown that the BLL may take a substantial amount of time to decrease after the cessation of shooting especially in those with very high levels or those that have practiced shooting for extended periods [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is There a Relationship between Lead Exposure and Aggressive Behavior in Shooters?

Naicker

Jager

Naidoo

et al. 2018

IJERPH

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Lead exposure has been associated with psycho-neurological disorders. Elevated blood lead levels have been found in shooters. This study assesses the association between the blood lead levels of shooters and their levels of aggression. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in Gauteng, South Africa. Participants were recruited from four randomly selected shooting ranges with three randomly selected archery ranges used as a comparison group. A total of 118 (87 shooters and 31 archers) participants were included in the analysis. Aggressiveness was measured using the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Shooters had significantly higher blood lead levels (BLL) compared to archers with 79.8% of shooters versus 22.6% of archers found to have a BLL ≥ 5 μg/dL (p < 0.001). Aggression scores were significantly higher in shooters (p < 0.05) except for verbal aggression. In the bivariate and regression analyses, shooters with BLLs ≥ 10 μg/dL were significantly associated with the hostility sub-scale (p = 0.03, adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.103–7.261). Shooters have a significantly higher BLL and aggressiveness compared to archers. However, elevated blood lead levels were significantly associated with hostility only. Interventions need to be put in place to prevent continued exposure and routine screening of populations at risk should be implemented.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is There a Relationship between Lead Exposure and Aggressive Behavior in Shooters?

Naicker

Jager

Naidoo

et al. 2018

IJERPH

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“…The literature is inconclusive about the relationship between marijuana and health outcomes (Pacula and Smart 2017), but a recent study showed that more conservative state marijuana policies predicted longer lives (Montez et al 2020). Gun policies could link to health through pathways such as nonfatal firearm injuries, or possibly through elevated blood lead levels among firearm users (Cook et al 2015). Nonfatal firearm injuries are roughly three times as frequent as fatal injuries (Fowler et al 2015; Kalesan et al 2017; Kaufman et al 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

U.S. State Policy Contexts and Physical Health among Midlife Adults

Kemp

Grumbach

Montez

2022

Socius: Sociological Research for a Dynamic World

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The authors examine how state policy contexts may have contributed to unfavorable adult health in recent decades, using merged individual-level data from the 1993–2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System ( n = 2,166,835) and 15 state-level policy domains measured annually on a conservative-to-liberal continuum. The authors examine associations between policy domains and health among adults 45 to 64 years old and assess how much of the associations are accounted for by adults’ socioeconomic, behavioral and lifestyle, and family factors. A more liberal version of the civil rights domain was associated with better health. It was disproportionately important for less educated adults and women, and its association with adult health was partly accounted for by educational attainment, employment, and income. Environment, gun safety, and marijuana policy domains were, to a lesser degree, predictors of health in some model specifications. In sum, health improvements require a greater focus on macro-level factors that shape the conditions in which people live.

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“…Reduced semen parameters associated with lead were seen both in the overall sample and in specific occupations where higher exposures might be expected: in law enforcement officers and in vehicle mechanics and repairers. Officers, particular police, are exposed to lead at firing ranges, 19 whereas exposures to lead and solvents are known hazards of work in automobile repair and related jobs. [20][21][22][23] Exposures to lead in these two occupations may be more extensive, or less controlled, than seen in larger industries because of smaller numbers of workers in any one place and hence lower uptake of control measures such as ventilation, respirator use, and personal hygiene measures such as handwashing.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occupation and Semen Parameters in a Cohort of Fertile Men

Meyer

Brazil

Redmon

et al. 2022

J Occup Environ Med

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Objective: We examined associations between occupation and semen parameters in demonstrably fertile men in the Study for Future Families. Methods: Associations of occupation and workplace exposures with semen volume, sperm concentration, motility, and morphology were assessed using generalized linear modeling. Results: Lower sperm concentration and motility were seen in installation, maintenance, and repair occupations. Higher exposure to lead, and to other toxicants, was seen in occupations with lower mean sperm concentrations (prevalence ratio for lead: 4.1; pesticides/insecticides: 1.6; solvents: 1.4). Working with lead for more than 3 months was associated with lower sperm concentration, as was lead exposure outside of work. Conclusions: We found evidence in demonstrably fertile men for reduced sperm quality with lead, pesticide/ herbicide, and solvent exposure. These results may identify occupations where protective measures against male reproductive toxicity might be warranted.

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Elevated Blood Lead Levels Related to the Use of Firearms

Cited by 7 publications

References 11 publications

Is There a Relationship between Lead Exposure and Aggressive Behavior in Shooters?

Is There a Relationship between Lead Exposure and Aggressive Behavior in Shooters?

U.S. State Policy Contexts and Physical Health among Midlife Adults

Occupation and Semen Parameters in a Cohort of Fertile Men

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