Originally Posted by
No.3
For me, the potential exposure for lead in meat is what I would consider a lesser risk than doing things like changing out the target backer/bullet catchers on a range or indoor ranges where there is no passive dust control setup. Things like sandblasting or hot work on old fuel tanks from the leaded fuel days are a higher risk - even things like working on a 1980's Aussie-built classic car where the paint is being restored and leaded paint dust generated - or an older house for that matter are all higher risks than most shooting activities.
Casting lead sinkers is another activity with higher risk...
Things like leaded pipe fittings (older tapware) also carries a risk - as do council water tanks that still have the older white lead sealant in them.
From what I've seen in this in the past it's very difficult to quantify the risk to human health from lead contamination, as different animal species perform differently when impacted by bullets due to different amounts of bone and muscle in the areas where you are likely to aim as well as different calibers, ammunition types, speed of bullet (distance from shooter to target) etc etc. Also, acid levels in the stomach and time it takes for food to pass through the digestive track varies greatly from person to person. Not too sure about how much you can trust the 30cm from the wound for contamination as well, I've seen bits of jacket further away than that... I think it's one of those things that you need to be careful with and examine each piece you take off from around the impact area going out. I hear mince is one of the worst for contamination as well, as the temptation is to carve a bit closer to the hole to extend the mince amount. Likewise, carving bits off for the dogs can be a bit dodgy as well!