Lead exposure in outdoor firearm instructors

Am J Public Health. 1991 Jun;81(6):753-5. doi: 10.2105/ajph.81.6.753.

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine lead exposure of firearm instructors at an outdoor firing range, while cadets were firing nonjacketed and jacketed lead ammunitions. The breathing zone air for lead exceeded the Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard of 50 micrograms/m3 for two instructors during firing exercises using nonjacketed bullets. The use of totally copper-jacketed bullets reduced the breathing zone lead levels by 92 percent for instructor #1 and by 96 percent for instructor #2; subsequent blood lead levels showed a significant decline in both instructors.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / adverse effects*
  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / analysis
  • Environmental Monitoring*
  • Firearms*
  • Health Status Indicators
  • Humans
  • Lead / adverse effects*
  • Lead / analysis
  • Lead Poisoning / blood*
  • Lead Poisoning / prevention & control
  • Maximum Allowable Concentration
  • Occupational Diseases / blood*
  • Occupational Diseases / prevention & control
  • Teaching*
  • United States
  • United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Substances

  • Air Pollutants, Occupational
  • Lead