Half Life of Lead in the Human Body

[rjww1945]

Hello All, forgive me if this thread is a bit off topic, but I figured if anyone might know the answer to this question it would be the folks that shoot thousands of rounds a month.

I tested my blood lead levels late May at 9.9 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dl). Ideally you want to be less than 3.5 mcg/dl.

I heard that the half life of lead in the blood is 30-40 days. I stopped shooting for two months, took another blood test at the beginning of this month and measured at 9.8 mcg/dl.

What gives? Have I not decontaminated my home thoroughly enough? Do I have lead in my bones which is slowing my half life?

I'm planning on another 6 months of no shooting and testing again. Thoughts on this plan?

Edit: I have shooting at an indoor range for about 7 years, usually between once a month to sometimes twice a week. Clearly I was not strict enough about my lead hygiene and have taken steps to improve it.

 

[Librarian]

Lead entering the intravascular space binds quickly to red blood cells. Lead has a half-life of approximately 30 days in the blood, from where it diffuses into the soft tissues, including the kidneys, brain, liver, and bone marrow.

Lead then diffuses into bone and is stored there for a period that corresponds to a half-life of several decades. Increased bone turnover with pregnancy, menopause, lactation, or immobilization can increase blood lead levels. Estimations of blood lead levels are more useful for diagnosing acute lead poisoning, whereas the extent of past lead exposure can be estimated by determining the body burden of lead on the basis of results from the edetate (EDTA) calcium disodium (CaNa2 EDTA) lead mobilization test.

Lead Toxicity: Background, Pathophysiology, Etiology

For centuries, lead toxicity has been one of the most significant preventable causes of neurologic morbidity from an environmental toxin. A heavy metal, lead is ubiquitous in our environment but has no physiologic role in biological systems.

emedicine.medscape.com

 

[1911-CV]

I started shooting indoors and reloading... next blood draw got me a letter from the State Health Dept about the dangers of lead. Switched to outdoor ranges and more precautions (separate shoes, shirts,...) and the next year was back in acceptable territory and have stayed there.

Sounds like you are already taking precautions, switching to an outdoor range is a good bet and easier on your ears too.

 

[treelogger]

Have you gone to see a doctor? There is treatment available (chelation), but I have no idea at what levels it is called for, how fast it works, and whether the side effects make it not worth it at your level.

 

[adrkwan]

Have you gone to see a doctor? There is treatment available (chelation), but I have no idea at what levels it is called for, how fast it works, and whether the side effects make it not worth it at your level.

I got tested last month and ended up at 9.1 mcg/dl. Doctor said chelation is available if its high (>=30 mcg/dl in a single test) or if I test consistently at an elevated level (~15-20 mcg/dl). Will be popping some zeolite/garlic supplement for the next few months to see if that helps.

 

[Deleted member 16735]

Just a thought, if you stopped shooting and it didn't go down maybe it's not from shooting?

 

[riceman]

You should get a base line blood test. That reminds me I should have mine rechecked it has been awhile.

 

[magoshands]

Chelation treatments have some serious risks associated with them make sure to only go through your doctor when getting them. And make sure to do all your follow up tests afterwards. That being said my highest was 20 mcg/dl. Conversation with my doc was monitor and see. After a few months it was way lower like 11 mcg/dl.

My Advice, buy and use dlead soap/wipes for everything. Use the wipes on your door handles your phone steering wheel
Lead is mostly ingested but busy indoor ranges can a big factor especially if you eat or drink or smoke/vape right after. If you reload thats another risk factor. If you work on your vehicle thats one as well.

Edit: this was also when i was working 6d days a week at a indoor range

 

[Warpspeed]

Wow - you guys are serious overachievers.

I cast & reload a lot but only shoot outdoors. I also live in a house that was built in 1876 so there is plenty of lead paint to go around. I'm not overly careful, always have a soda or coffee or something nearby to drink and fully expect mine to be high but my last test, in 2024, I was 2.3. So I got nothing for you all.

 

[packy14]

Hello All, forgive me if this thread is a bit off topic, but I figured if anyone might know the answer to this question it would be the folks that shoot thousands of rounds a month.

I tested my blood lead levels late May at 9.9 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dl). Ideally you want to be less than 3.5 mcg/dl.

I heard that the half life of lead in the blood is 30-40 days. I stopped shooting for two months, took another blood test at the beginning of this month and measured at 9.8 mcg/dl.

What gives? Have I not decontaminated my home thoroughly enough? Do I have lead in my bones which is slowing my half life?

I'm planning on another 6 months of no shooting and testing again. Thoughts on this plan?

Edit: I have shooting at an indoor range for about 7 years, usually between once a month to sometimes twice a week. Clearly I was not strict enough about my lead hygiene and have taken steps to improve it.

Dlead soap cold water including face, wear gloves when cleaning guns, even better wear a mask of some kind or bandana on face especially at indoor range. Most is inhaled. Take range clothes off outside and put directly into washer and wash when you get home.

 

[GoldensRule]

Hello All, forgive me if this thread is a bit off topic, but I figured if anyone might know the answer to this question it would be the folks that shoot thousands of rounds a month.

I tested my blood lead levels late May at 9.9 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dl). Ideally you want to be less than 3.5 mcg/dl.

I heard that the half life of lead in the blood is 30-40 days. I stopped shooting for two months, took another blood test at the beginning of this month and measured at 9.8 mcg/dl.

What gives? Have I not decontaminated my home thoroughly enough? Do I have lead in my bones which is slowing my half life?

I'm planning on another 6 months of no shooting and testing again. Thoughts on this plan?

Edit: I have shooting at an indoor range for about 7 years, usually between once a month to sometimes twice a week. Clearly I was not strict enough about my lead hygiene and have taken steps to improve it.

I'll drop my .02 cents here. I am pretty sure you know this already but for the sake of clarity, lead is absorbed into the body primarily through ingestion and inhalation and since you aren't a young child eating lead contaminated paint chips, you are washing your hands, face and clothes after shooting, you're not drinking water delivered through lead pipes, etc., odds are most of it is coming from breathing aerosolized lead at the indoor range.

One very effective prophylactic measure that everyone who spends time at an indoor range can take is to wear an N95 mask while shooting. It would be even better to wear a respirator with P100 filters but, what a pain. We all wear hearing and vision protection so respiratory protection isn't much more of a stretch.

This is a very informative FactSheet published by OSHA about employee's lead exposure at indoor shooting ranges. Hope it helps someone.

https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA3772.pdf

 

[xrMike]

Do you reload your own ammo?

Potential exposure also comes when you tumble your cases.

Most traditional primers use a primary explosive mixture containing lead styphnate. Every round you fire, the lead styphnate in the primer explodes and deposits lead particles in your barrel, the gun's action, all over the inside of your cases, into the air for several feet, and onto the ground from your firing position.

Precautions you can take:

1. If you reload, tumble your cases outside, not indoors. Always handle your cases and tumbling media with rubber gloves. Always transfer/pour your media with a Covid-like mask on, to minimize dust inhalation. Change/replace your tumbling media frequently, before it gets visibly gray/black/dirty. Toss the gloves after use, then wash hands with HOT WATER and soap, thoroughly.
2. Wear gloves when you clean your guns. Toss the gloves after use, then wash hands with HOT WATER and soap, thoroughly.
3. Don't shoot at indoor ranges. They are notorious for poor ventilation and cleaning methods.

 

[Enthused]

I'm actually surprised indoor ranges haven't been shut down yet in this state. Try to shoot outdoors.

 

[packy14]

I'm actually surprised indoor ranges haven't been shut down yet in this state. Try to shoot outdoors.

Most have

 

[GoldensRule]

I'm actually surprised indoor ranges haven't been shut down yet in this state. Try to shoot outdoors.

Or they start requiring lead free ammunition for everything, indoor and outdoor shooting. Man, that would be challenging!

 

[ZeroFoxGiven]

I'm actually surprised indoor ranges haven't been shut down yet in this state. Try to shoot outdoors.

They don’t care about the health of gun owners / shooters, let’s be honest. One less Gun Owner in Cali in their eyes.

*Sarcasm off