dust masks' effectiveness when emptying tumbler?

[snowman]

There's often discussion here about preventing lead exposure by loading and especially emptying a tumbler outdoors. I'm wondering if the 3M dust masks commonly used when blowing insulation in an attic would prevent inhalation of the lead dust in the tumbling process.

Thanks, fellas.
Andy

 

[rrockefe]

I don't notice much dust when dumping my tumbler. I put 4 used dryer sheets in every tumbler load before running. They really do accumulate a load of black dust. Before I used these I did notice the dust in the air.

 

[Smithpride]

They can help and are better than nothing when worn properly. Make sure to wear properly and be clean shaven in the areas the respirator touches the face.
Remember, lead's big risk is ingestion. Wash hands thoroughly and no eating/drinking/smoking/nose picking/etc in the area of lead without first washing.

 

[fredj338]

The closed lid separators are worth the small price. I just stand upwind while I dump the tumbler into it. A dust mask certainly is a good idea.

 

[Goblin]

Are you using a polish in your media? I don't notice any dust since I started using Flitz tumbling additive, so I don't use a mask, but I'd think your suggestion would do the trick.

 

[Collo Rosso]

I don't notice much dust when dumping my tumbler. I put 4 used dryer sheets in every tumbler load before running. They really do accumulate a load of black dust. Before I used these I did notice the dust in the air.

This works for me too. Also use a cap full of polish. Don't chew on your bullets.

 

[MichiganScott]

I've never used a mask. I've been handloading since 1974 and using a tumbler since 1977. I have zero lead in my system. My doctor says that I'd have higher lead levels if I lived in a big city and didn't reload.

Some people worry too much. Wash your hands when you are done loading and shooting and forget it.

 

[bigwheelzip]

It couldn't hurt.

 

[da gimp]

I had my contractor/supervisor lead abatement license from the state of Missouri before I retired... the advice you were given to wash your hands & face *thoroughly after doing any reloading related tasks is good advice and is sufficient to protect you from normal reloading chores...

Please enforce this rule stringently with any children (pregnant women/lactating women too) you are teaching to reload/cast... Lead affects them much more than it does adults..those lil 3M dust masks are worthless & in some tests have actually shown to cause people wearing them to inhale contaminants far deeper into the lungs than if they weren't wearing them...

When casting lead bullets... do so outside or have a fan blowing on you from behind toward your lead pot & do not stand right over the lead pot inhaling the fumes, when casting/fluxing.. I cast at a comfortable are length from the pot with the mold handles adding a couple of 4" more... my blood lead level was 4... after a huge amount of casting...this level is not worth worrying about.

 

[FlyFish]

I don't generally wear a mask when I empty my tumbler, although I do exercise some care not to inhale any dust that gets dispersed. I simple dust mask will likely do some good, but if you're really concerned about limiting exposure to airborne lead what you want is a half-face respirator with P100 (pink) pancake filters (like this one: https://www.northernsafety.com/Product/6600/3M-6000-Series-Half-Mask-Respirator). They cost about $20 or less. I wear one when shooting indoors, which I do frequently because I'm in an over-winter pistol league, and I know from my own serum blood levels that they are very effective in eliminating inhalation exposure.

 

[snowman]

Some people worry too much.

Sir,

I'm choosing to believe that you weren't directing that comment toward me. I don't worry about such things; I research, listen, observe, look for a consensus of respected opinion, then take action if I determine that it is warranted.

I trust that this additional information is helpful to you.

Regards,
Andy

 

[snowman]

Thanks for the responses thus far. A few additional notes:

-My question is only about the tumbling operation; I don't cast or use lead bullets, and have been pretty conscientious about keeping the hands washed -thanks for the reminder there, though.

-Interesting assessment of the masks by da gimp; thank you. If I get some time I'm going to look into the issue further. I worked for a residential contractor for a number of years, and those masks were standard issue for blow-in insulation work(in attics), which of course is extremely dusty/dirty.

-I do use Flitz additive and used dryer sheets, but still generate some dust, particularly after a couple uses or so.

Thanks again, friends.
Andy

 

[Rule3]

Yes, a particle dust mask will help. If is necessary is another matter. Emptying the tumbler outside is a first step, standing upwind another. Pouring it out slowly also helps,

If you feel safer then by all means wear one, also wear disposable gloves and a long sleeve shirt to avoid dust on your hands and arms

Always wash hands, arms and face after handling any hazardous materials, Wear a hat and wash cloths separate from the family laundry

I used to worked with really hazardous stuff and was responsible for worker safety and MSDS of all chemicals

For tumbling brass, I am not that concerned as I do it outside, am careful and the exposure is very minimal and infrequently. Now for people that do hazardous things all day on a regular basis, then it's different,

Shooting at a indoor range that allows lead ammo (primers) will give you more exposure in a short time than tumbling some brass in a closed lid tumbler.

If you buy dust masks, buy the right kind and GOOD ones, 3M is good,


 3M


Recommended Application‎‎ Bagging,‎ Agricultural Production,‎ Processing of Minerals,‎ Cleaning,‎ Dry Chemical Handling,‎ Grinding,‎ Petrochemical Manufacturing,‎ Airborne Biological Particles,‎ Textile Operations,‎ Petrochemical,‎ Sanding,‎ Pharmaceutical Manufacturing,‎ Assembly and Mechanical,‎ Foundry Operations

 

[da gimp]

I don't generally wear a mask when I empty my tumbler, although I do exercise some care not to inhale any dust that gets dispersed. I simple dust mask will likely do some good, but if you're really concerned about limiting exposure to airborne lead what you want is a half-face respirator with P100 (pink) pancake filters (like this one: https://www.northernsafety.com/Product/6600/3M-6000-Series-Half-Mask-Respirator). They cost about $20 or less. I wear one when shooting indoors, which I do frequently because I'm in an over-winter pistol league, and I know from my own serum blood levels that they are very effective in eliminating inhalation exposure.

Here in Missouri & Kansas you must pass a "respirator" physical before you are allowed to wear a half-face or a full face air purifying respirator while at work... as using one places added stress on your heart & lungs...They'll do a dern good regular physical & blood work up plus an EKG & several lung function tests... By the way, the proper colored filter cartridge are the "magenta" colored cartridges... for every brand....

Since I developed lung cancer back in 1999 & had first a lobe of my R lung removed... I failed the physical in 2000 after I completed my chemo, & could no longer work on our asbestos/lead/haz-mat emergency response & abatement and mold jobs even though I was a contractor/supervisor ...doing only finger pointing/inspecting/supervising so to speak...

The states & federal government have mandated these physical's for respirators for very good reasons... as it is much harder to breath while you are wearing one... I urge anyone who intends to wear a respirator or who already wears one to get a respirator physical... as there are many people who have borderline serious heart problems & undiagnosed respiratory conditions that might be triggered by the use of a respirator....

The chances of a man , (not a child/infant/ pregnant woman/lactating woman or a woman who intends to get pregnant very soon,) being exposed to an medically actionable level of lead exposure by shooting in an indoor range or by reloading or bullet casting is extremely slight....if not nearly impossible, unless they are intentionally trying to increase their exposure to a medically actionable level...say by having their face/mouth directly over their lead pot & breathing in deeply while they are casting for many, many hours....

Wash your hands and face thoroughly after you load or cast.... After casting, and washing up thoroughly, it would also be a good idea to change your clothes & place your shirt & jeans in the clothes washer before holding small children/infants, or sitting in your favorite recliner... around here grandpa's recliner is the favorite hangout if I'm not in it... & most of the time even if I am...

 

[gwpercle]

I've never used a mask. I've been handloading since 1974 and using a tumbler since 1977. I have zero lead in my system. My doctor says that I'd have higher lead levels if I lived in a big city and didn't reload.

Some people worry too much. Wash your hands when you are done loading and shooting and forget it.

My doctor said the same thing, and that the hazard has been blown way out of proportion. Told me not to eat the lead bullets and wash my hands when done. He also said not to get all paranoid about it .
Gary

 

[crankyoldlady]

I set up my tumbler behind the garage and run it with no lid/cover. The dust blows away for the most part. I also do my sorting outside away from the house and "sift" 2-3 times.

 

[MichiganScott]

Sir,

I'm choosing to believe that you weren't directing that comment toward me. I don't worry about such things; I research, listen, observe, look for a consensus of respected opinion, then take action if I determine that it is warranted.

I trust that this additional information is helpful to you.

Regards,
Andy

If I was referring to you, I would have used your handle. Your skin appears to be a bit thin.

Reread my post. I don't do as you suggest and I reload and shoot several thousand rounds a year. I have zero lead in my blood after 40 years of reloading.

I have other things to worry about. If you are worried, get tested. I have been.

 

[FlyFish]

Here in Missouri & Kansas you must pass a "respirator" physical before you are allowed to wear a half-face or a full face air purifying respirator while at work... as using one places added stress on your heart & lungs...They'll do a dern good regular physical & blood work up plus an EKG & several lung function tests... By the way, the proper colored filter cartridge are the "magenta" colored cartridges... for every brand....

<snip>

The states & federal government have mandated these physical's for respirators for very good reasons... as it is much harder to breath while you are wearing one... I urge anyone who intends to wear a respirator or who already wears one to get a respirator physical... as there are many people who have borderline serious heart problems & undiagnosed respiratory conditions that might be triggered by the use of a respirator....

I don't dispute what you're saying, but I really think the additional stress is overstated. Based on my own experience, and that of numerous shooters I know personally who routinely wear a half-face respirator while shooting indoors, I can't recall anyone every remarking that they sensed any additional difficulty breathing. The P100 filters are referred to in the supply catalogs as either magenta or pink - we've always referred to them (maybe incorrectly) as "pink" - but the important part is the NIOSH P100 specification, which is appropriate for particulate lead.

The chances of a man , (not a child/infant/ pregnant woman/lactating woman or a woman who intends to get pregnant very soon,) being exposed to an medically actionable level of lead exposure by shooting in an indoor range or by reloading or bullet casting is extremely slight....if not nearly impossible, unless they are intentionally trying to increase their exposure to a medically actionable level...say by having their face/mouth directly over their lead pot & breathing in deeply while they are casting for many, many hours....

This is incorrect information, at least with respect to indoor ranges, and I have the data to prove it. A few years ago, I shot on a pistol team in a range with poor ventilation. One of the shooters on the team happened to have his serum (blood) lead level tested as part of an annual physical and it came back at 61 mcg/dl, which as you know is far above any level that could be considered "safe" - arguably 10 mcg/dl for an adult, and some toxicologists would say lower - and approaches the point at which chelation therapy would be indicated. He began wearing a half-face respirator with P100 (magenta!) filters at all times when in the range, made no other lifestyle changes, and was able to reduce his serum lead to 24 mcg/dl in about a year.

Around the same time, I decided to have my serum lead tested, and I was at 31 mcg/dl. I also began wearing a respirator, made no other life style changes, and got down to a bit over 11 mcg/dl in a year, and to 7.9 mcg/dl in another year after that.

Shortly after that, we relocated to another state and I joined a new team but continued to wear my respirator until we upgraded the ventilation system and I thought it was OK to discontinue using it. My serum lead immediately (well, as immediately as my next physical) jumped to 17 mcg/dl and I'm now wearing my respirator again, and won't have a new data point until March. Now, I recognize the relocation adds some new variables to the question, but certainly the earlier data indicate that there most definitely is a potential health risk from airborne lead in indoor ranges, as just about anyone familiar with the issue would tell you.

Wash your hands and face thoroughly after you load or cast.... After casting, and washing up thoroughly, it would also be a good idea to change your clothes & place your shirt & jeans in the clothes washer before holding small children/infants, or sitting in your favorite recliner... around here grandpa's recliner is the favorite hangout if I'm not in it... & most of the time even if I am...

All good advice, not just for casters and reloaders, but certainly for indoor shooters as well, and maybe all shooters.