Lead Exposure Among Target Shooters

Gelberg, Kitty H.; DePersis, Ronald

doi:10.3200/aeoh.64.2.115-120

Cited by 12 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 10 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…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].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occupational Exposure to Metals in Shooting Ranges: A Biomonitoring Study

Vandebroek¹,

Haufroid

Smolders

et al. 2019

Safety and Health at Work

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundLead (Pb) exposure in shooting ranges has been reduced by various measures such as jacketed ammunition and lead-free primers. Nevertheless, this may lead to exposure to other metals, potentially resulting in adverse health effects.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, 35 subjects from seven different shooting ranges were studied: four shooting instructors, 10 police officers, 15 Special Forces, and six maintenance staff members. Metals and metalloids were determined in blood and urine by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry.ResultsThe concentrations of most elements did not differ significantly between groups or compared to reference values, except for Sb and Pt in urine and Pb in blood. Mean values for Sb were considerably higher in urine from the Special Forces (0.34 μg/L), the maintenance staff (0.13 μg/L), and shooting instructors (0.32 μg/L) compared to the police officers before shooting (0.06 μg/L) and a Belgian reference value (0.04 μg/L). For Pt, the Special Forces showed higher mean urinary concentrations (0.078 μg/L) compared to a Belgian reference value (<0.061 μg/L). Mean values for blood lead were markedly higher in the Special Forces (3.9 μg/dL), maintenance staff (5.7 μg/dL), and instructors (11.7 μg/dL) compared to police officers (1.4 μg/dL). One instructor exceeded the biological exposure index for blood Pb (38.8 μg/dL).ConclusionSince both Pb and Sb were found to be higher in shooting range employees, especially among frequent shooters, it is advisable to provide appropriate protective equipment, education, and medical follow-up for shooting range personnel in addition to careful choice of ammunition.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occupational Exposure to Metals in Shooting Ranges: A Biomonitoring Study

Vandebroek¹,

Haufroid

Smolders

et al. 2019

Safety and Health at Work

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Studies of firing range employees have documented high lead levels in dust wipes of lunch areas, elevated air lead levels, and increased BLLs. 6,8-11 Exposures to lead can occur whether firing at indoor or outdoor firing ranges. The amounts of lead dust and particles during shooting can vary by the caliber and model of the gun and type of bullets.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gun Marksmanship and Youth Lead Exposure: A Practice-Oriented Approach to Prevention

Goldman

Woolf

Karwowski

2017

Clin Pediatr (Phila)

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Lead-based ammunition is also an important source of lead in the environment, leading to toxicity in wildlife as well as humans. 9,10 Summarized in Table 1 are six cases of elevated blood lead levels in our clinic related to firearm use from 2011 until 2014, with associated lead exposure settings, blood lead levels, and symptoms reported.…”

Section: Elevated Blood Lead Levels Related To the Use Of Firearmsmentioning

confidence: 97%