Lead exposure in indoor firing ranges

Abstract

Higher air lead levels (time-weighted average 660, range 112-2238 micrograms/m3) were measured in firing ranges where powder charges were employed than in ranges where air guns were used (4.6, range 1.8-7.2 micrograms/m3); levels in the latter were in turn higher than those in ranges used for archery (0.11, range 0.10-0.13 micrograms/m3). Twenty-two marksmen who used powder charges had significantly increased blood lead levels during the indoor shooting season (before: median 106, range 32-176 micrograms/l; after: 138; range 69-288 micrograms/l; P = 0.0001), while 21 subjects who mainly used air guns displayed no significant increase (before: median 91, range 47-179 micrograms/l; after: 84; range 20-222 micrograms/l). Thirteen archers had significantly lower levels than the pistol shooters before the season (P = 0.006), and showed a significant decrease during the season (before: median 61, range 27-92 micrograms/l; after: 56; range 31-87 micrograms/l; P = 0.04). At the end of the indoor season, there was a significant association between weekly pistol shooting time and blood lead levels.

High blood lead levels in recreational indoor-shooters

“…Shooters in Sweden using large calibre handguns on an outdoor range during summertime and on an indoor range during wintertime had a signiWcant increase (P = 0.0001) in BLLs after the indoor season. BLLs were measured at the end of the summer shooting season and at the end of the winter shooting season (Svensson et al 1992). Another Swedish study showed also a positive correlation of BLLs among police oYcers with the number of rounds annually Wred (Löfstedt et al 1999).…”

Solid Cancer Mortality Associated with Chronic External Radiation Exposure at the French Atomic Energy Commission and Nuclear Fuel Company

“…DOE security guards are required to maintain proficiency with firearms. Previous studies of firing range exposures have reported relatively high lead exposures (Svensson et al 1992, Goldberg et al 1991, Valway et al 1990). DOE security workers are exposed to internal combustion engine exhaust as a result of vehicle inspections conducted prior to allowing automobiles and trucks to enter sites.…”

¿Es el plomo empleado en deportes (caza, tiro y pesca deportiva) un problema de salud pública infravalorado?

“…La información sobre el tema es relativamente abundante, y sólo remarcaremos los casos más significativos. La peor situación se produce principalmente en campos cubiertos («indoor») [24][25][26][27] , donde la concentración de plomo en el aire puede alcanzar 26 hasta los 2.238 µg/m 3 , cuando la actual legislación española y europea marca un máximo de 150 µg/m 3 como valor límite ambiental para la exposición diaria (VLA-ED) 28 . El problema afecta a los tiradores, lo sean estos por motivos recreativos 24,26,29 o profesionales 30 , pero igualmente a trabajadores y otro personal que frecuente estos lugares 24,25,27 .…”