Soil pollution at outdoor shooting ranges: Health effects, bioavailability and best management practices

Fayiga, Abioye O.; Saha, Uttam

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2016.05.062

Cited by 59 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 89 publications

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“…Emissions in firing ranges result in the accumulation of elevated lead concentrations in surface soils [16–18]. This is concerning because lead particles do not naturally biodegrade in soil as do some contaminants such as hydrocarbons.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lead exposure at firing ranges—a review

et al. 2017

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BackgroundLead (Pb) is a toxic substance with well-known, multiple, long-term, adverse health outcomes. Shooting guns at firing ranges is an occupational necessity for security personnel, police officers, members of the military, and increasingly a recreational activity by the public. In the United States alone, an estimated 16,000–18,000 firing ranges exist. Discharge of Pb dust and gases is a consequence of shooting guns.MethodsThe objectives of this study are to review the literature on blood lead levels (BLLs) and potential adverse health effects associated with the shooting population. The search terms “blood lead”, “lead poisoning”, “lead exposure”, “marksmen”, “firearms”, “shooting”, “guns”, “rifles” and “firing ranges” were used in the search engines Google Scholar, PubMed and Science Direct to identify studies that described BLLs in association with firearm use and health effects associated with shooting activities.ResultsThirty-six articles were reviewed that included BLLs from shooters at firing ranges. In 31 studies BLLs > 10 μg/dL were reported in some shooters, 18 studies reported BLLs > 20 μg/dL, 17 studies > 30 μg/d, and 15 studies BLLs > 40 μg/dL. The literature indicates that BLLs in shooters are associated with Pb aerosol discharge from guns and air Pb at firing ranges, number of bullets discharged, and the caliber of weapon fired.ConclusionsShooting at firing ranges results in the discharge of Pb dust, elevated BLLs, and exposures that are associated with a variety of adverse health outcomes. Women and children are among recreational shooters at special risk and they do not receive the same health protections as occupational users of firing ranges. Nearly all BLL measurements compiled in the reviewed studies exceed the current reference level of 5 μg/dL recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (CDC/NIOSH). Thus firing ranges, regardless of type and user classification, currently constitute a significant and unmanaged public health problem. Prevention includes clothing changed after shooting, behavioural modifications such as banning of smoking and eating at firing ranges, improved ventilation systems and oversight of indoor ranges, and development of airflow systems at outdoor ranges. Eliminating lead dust risk at firing ranges requires primary prevention and using lead-free primers and lead-free bullets.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12940-017-0246-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lead exposure at firing ranges—a review

et al. 2017

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“…While our approach can be applied to other metalpolluted soils, Pb in firing range soils are of particular international concern because it is an important cause of contaminated sites worldwide (ITRC 2005;Sanderson et al 2011;Sorvari et al 2006). Also, potential impacts of Pb from shooting ranges on the environment and human health can be high (Fayiga and Saha 2016;Sanderson et al 2011;Sanderson et al 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbon and nitrogen cycling in a lead polluted grassland evaluated using stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) and microbial, plant and soil parameters

Rijk

Ekblad

2020

Plant Soil

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Aims Carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling are key ecosystem functions potentially altered by heavy metal pollution. We used an ecosystem approach to study the long-term effect of lead (Pb) on C and N cycles in a natural grassland in a former shooting range. Methods Microbial activity was evaluated by substrateinduced respiration (SIR) in situ, adding isotopically labelled C 4-sugar to the soil. C and N contents and natural abundance of isotopes were measured in grass leaves, soil and microbial biomass together with root biomass. Results A reduced microbial activity and microbial biomass per area, together with a higher soil C stock and C:N ratio suggested a lower microbial decomposition in high Pb compared to low Pb areas. A more closed N cycle in the high Pb area was indicated by 2-3‰ lower δ 15 N in leaves and soil compared to low Pb areas. Higher δ 13 C in leaves and higher root biomass but similar leaf nutrient contents indicated plant responses and adaptions to the high Pb. Conclusions The applied ecosystem approach revealed that Pb slowed down the C and N cycles, possibly by indirect effects rather than by direct toxicity. The ecosystem seems to have adapted to altered conditions.

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“…Lead may possibly leach to groundwater and surface runoff may transport Pb to surface water bodies. Lead may also be ecotoxic and also potentially pose a risk to humans via ingestion, dermal, or inhalation exposures (Fayiga & Saha, ; Wijayawardena, Megharaj, & Naidu, ). Based on site assessments, contaminated soils need to be periodically removed from ranges and stockpiled for ex situ remediation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Case study of testing heavy‐particle concentrator‐aided remediation of lead‐contaminated rifle shooting range soil

Thangavadivel

Ranganathan

Sanderson³

et al. 2018

Remediation Journal

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Trials were conducted to optimize the parameters of a heavy‐particle concentrator (HPC) for the remediation of soil stockpiles contaminated by metallic lead at the Mount Stuart training area in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. A range of treatment methods, including orbital screen, HPC, and a combination of orbital screen and HPC were evaluated. The treatment efficiency, as well as reductions in Pb and Australian Standard Teaching Procedure values, was ranked: Orbital screen + HPC < HPC < 2nd run through HPC. The combination of orbital screening, HPC, and phosphate‐aided immobilization completely remediated the stockpiled material by reducing total lead to below the Australian National Environmental Protection Measure Health Investigation Level for Soil Contaminant (Recreational; < 600 milligrams lead per kilogram). The optimized parameters of HPC at 4 tonnes per hour of the < 40 millimeter (mm) orbital screen feed fraction were: inclination angle 4°, trommel speed 1,860 revolutions per minute (rpm), HPC belt speed 3.5 rpm, material distribution chute extension 100 mm and water flow 480 liters per minute.

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Soil pollution at outdoor shooting ranges: Health effects, bioavailability and best management practices

Cited by 59 publications

References 89 publications

Lead exposure at firing ranges—a review

Lead exposure at firing ranges—a review

Carbon and nitrogen cycling in a lead polluted grassland evaluated using stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) and microbial, plant and soil parameters

Case study of testing heavy‐particle concentrator‐aided remediation of lead‐contaminated rifle shooting range soil

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