Thread: Lead bullets and their risk to human health

nope, carrots are evil

Interesting that this popped up today, Winchesters new cartridge for the states where lead will be banned.

Originally Posted by Bol Tackshin

You probably won't die from lead poisoning, but you will probably wish to die, because of how it destroys your health and quality of life. The father of a mate of mine had high blood lead from sanding a house covered with lead-based paint. He often slept in a chair, because he couldn't pick himself up and get into bed. Chelation fixed him up, but it took a while, and it had its own health side effects.

Yeah and panel-beater mate of mine has tested at elevated Pb levels at least 3x that I know of, the worst after sanding/painting an old house he was renting back in mid-eighties. He recovered alright. The only thing that's fucked him up over the years is too much recreational drugs from time to time. Haven't seen him for a couple of years but he's still working in the trade, living life full and on the edge. As FDR once said, "there is nothing to fear in life but fear itself"

Originally Posted by stug

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8414278/

Abstract

Aims: Following detection of symptomatic lead toxicity in two users of an indoor small bore rifle range, we studied users of several similar facilities to determine if significant recreational lead exposure occurred.

Method: Red cell lead levels were measured at the end of a six month (winter) indoor shooting season and prior to commencement of shooting in the following year. Lead levels in air and dust sampled at one range were also measured.

Results: REd cell lead levels were elevated at the end of season (mean 2.64 mumol/L) and lower (mean 1.60 mumol/L) in the preseason samples. The average red cell lead level of the male shooters was 2.4 times normal and is comparable to the levels found in many occupationally exposed groups. Maximum air lead levels were 210 micrograms/m3, more than 2 times the Department of Labour OSH workplace exposure standard TWA of 100 micrograms/m3. Analysis of dust samples showed that dust at this range contained 24% to 36% lead.

Conclusion: Although the mean time spent shooting was only 70 minutes per week the blood lead levels are similar to those previously reported for full time instructors at pistol ranges. This data confirms that lead exposure in recreational users of indoor small bore rifle ranges is a significant problem.

They were indoors. Was the extraction system on and working efficiently?

There were idiots on the news here claiming a gas stove would kill you. But the atmospheric measurements were taken in a small kitchen doors closed and the vent fan turned of. I mean FMD. Clearly rigged to get what they wanted,,,,, more money.

Interesting. Think I might leave the front end on mine now.

Originally Posted by Rushy

I am unconvinced that lead is either dangerous or problematic for any of us. Lead pipes, lead soldered copper pipes, lead paint (even on houses and kids toys) and leaded petrol were everywhere in my younger years. As a teen I melted the lead from lead head nails and cast it in earth moulds and ate game killed with lead bullets and lead pellets and yet, here I still am with no lead induced ailments. Unless I am sorely mistaken, you fellahs are all still here as well.

But some of us do partake in a certain inoculant which has definite health benifits @Rushy.

Originally Posted by Oldbloke

They were indoors. Was the extraction system on and working efficiently?

There were idiots on the news here claiming a gas stove would kill you. But the atmospheric measurements were taken in a small kitchen doors closed and the vent fan turned of. I mean FMD. Clearly rigged to get what they wanted,,,,, more money.

Its happened in a tent here. Carbon monoxide poisoning. And this: https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/southl...burner-dangers Wasn't rigged and wasn't for money.

Originally Posted by Tahr

Its happened in a tent here. Carbon monoxide poisoning. And this: https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/southl...burner-dangers Wasn't rigged and wasn't for money.

More than once, in tents, caravans, boats, shacks, caves, mines and houses. But, IF (and I'll be the first to admit that this is unlikely due to the level of idiot that usually tries to operate these things) - IF the precautions are followed there is a much reduced risk of using gas burners indoors. And most of that revolves around the long-term effects of increased moisture levels which carry combustion by products into the living environment.

If you deliberately operate a gas burning appliance indoors for testing purposes without following the safety precautions you are either trying to rig the test results, don't know what you are doing or deliberately doing it to highlight the issues and how unsafe the practice is.

Originally Posted by Kune

It has been the direct opposite to this with shotgun ammunition.

It's a relative thing - all ammo has got dearer, might be better to phrase it that the price increases would not be so large???

Well, I'll keep shooting them till they are banned.

Originally Posted by No.3

It's a relative thing - all ammo has got dearer, might be better to phrase it that the price increases would not be so large???

Considering steel is way cheaper than lead steel shot is not only still dearer than lead shot, it's way more expensive than it should be

Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

But some of us do partake in a certain inoculant which has definite health benifits @Rushy.

The curative powers of the elixir of life are undeniable. Those of us in the know keep the faith daily.

Originally Posted by csmiffy

Considering steel is way cheaper than lead steel shot is not only still dearer than lead shot, it's way more expensive than it should be

Steel shot cartridges at least trap were initially significantly cheaper than lead I think 20% at least. Now they are the same. Certain events ( handicap by distance and gymcrak) can't be shot using steel as there's not enough residual energy as iron is 32% lighter than lead.
copper is about 25% lighter so to retain similar bullet weight you have a longer bullet that may give problems with stability.

Steel may be cheaper than lead but what does it cost to process it from billet to shot?

Originally Posted by techno retard

Steel may be cheaper than lead but what does it cost to process it from billet to shot?

Exactly, it's much cheaper as I understand it to produce lead shot than steel. The difference as I understand it is the steel is more labour intensive to ensure it's actually round and not odd-shaped - steel can't be dropped and then graded into sizes and/or reject like lead can.