Health safety when reloading lead bullets.

[dan-g]

I just strarted reloading so I might be asking some stupid questions but I figure its better safe than sorry.

I have only reloaded about 600 rounds so far and right now I wear a regular dust mask and safety googles while reloading. I have my station in the garage and I dont really dust the area afterwards. I'm reloading lead bullets only and I really cant see how very much lead dust is bieng produced. Does anyone else, WHO IS A HEALTH CONSCIOUS have a beter method of clean up or is this a non isue. Im mainly concerned because my wife's norditrack and my weight set are in the garage so we both work out in the gargage

 

[Rule3]

There is a very long, long thread not to long ago on lead safety.

You do not need a dust mask as you are not grinding or sanding the lead. Eye protection is always recommended when priming but again not for lead bullets.

Your main concern should be to wash your hands well after playing with bullets before you eat, smoke handle other things.

Some folks wear gloves but I find that a pain, I just wash my hands very well. You do not need any special de leading soap. Anything with EDTA in it (most hand soaps have it)

You will be exposed to more lead when tumbling brass, so do that outside.

Here ya go, some light reading for you

http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/164214-lead-vs-jacketed-bullets-only-facts-please.html

 

[GypsmJim]

OCD1's statements hit it right on the mark. Just wash your hands and don't worry.

If there is ANY hazard with lead bullets, its in the casting process, not the loading.

About 20 years ago LEE Custom Engineering hired an independant consulting firm to set up their lead melting furnaces, cast bullets for an extended period of time, and test the air quality and operator for lead exposure.

I'm an environmental engineer and have been involved in testing of factory workers since the 1970's. I read the report and verified that their testing procedures were adequate and the test conducted without bias.

Bottom line - follow the directions and you'll be fine.

The worst hazard is indoor range shooting. Be sure to keep the ventilation on!

 

[1x2]

I'm posting because I wear one disposable latex glove (I'm not allergic to it) on the hand that I use to pick up the bullets to seat, just because- (it don't hurt). I trash it when finished. That's as potentially dangerous as the process gets, as far as I can tell. As GypsumJim noted, an indoor range is potentially a far more dangerous area. Lead dust and powder can accumulate on every horizontal surface as well as your clothing.

You will be exposed to more lead when tumbling brass, so do that outside.

by which he meant the process of separating the now-cleaned brass from the cleaning media. I don't do that outside in any weather, for good or ill, I turn on my Ridgid shop vac- I believe it has an adequate filter. Yes, I keep the shop vac in my workout/reloading room.

Reading that thread that OCD1 linked for you is a fine idea, in all seriousness.

 

[dan-g]

thanks OCD1 I read that entire thread. I feel pretty confident in my methods now.

Im glad to know that the sweet taste in your mouth and clearing my throat for about an hour is bad for me. I started wearing my resperator at my indoor range and I havent experianced it since.

 

[Rule3]

My Lyman Turbo Vibrator tumbler came with the lid that has slots in it to use a brass/media separator. I tumble in my garage with the door open (Florida)

Anyway, I looked at it one day and realized how stupid that design is. I called Lyman and asked for a solid top for the tumbler. The said they do not make one??

So I proceeded to duct tape the top and underside (black tape)

The amount of dust containing lead and other nasty stuff would be all over everything let alone breathing it.

As I believe I mentioned in the other thread, there is more harmful stuff in primers then in handling the lead bullets.

Also, change your tumbling media often. It is the cheapest part of reloading (pennies) and these folks that state they never change it or leave it for a year are just foolish. Plus fresh media works much faster.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

About tumbler media, I cut used cloth dryer sheets into strips and throw them into the tumbler. It not only keeps the dust down but it also cleans the media while tumbling brass.

 

[dave b]

I've been reloading and handling lead bullets for over 40 years without any ill affects so far. I do feel heavier though.

 

[cp1969]

In my opinion, it is an over-blown non-issue.

If there are any ill effects from handling, melting, casting, sizing and reloading lead, I should have perished from it long ago. I never wore gloves and half the time I'd be eating or drinking something at the same time.

 

[SMSgt]

Agreed, overblown by the EPA and others. If casting, do so in a well-ventilated area. Loading, not an issue--just keep your booger-hookers out of your mouth and wash hands afterwards.

In indoor ranges, I'm more concerned about inhaling the burnt powder more than anything.

 

[nebmike]

I work for an agency who does routine lead testing, and from speaking with the state health department, the majority of high lead levels in adult males are seen in people who cast their own lead bullets.

That said, I agree with good handwashing and/or gloves and you shouldnt have any worries... oh, and dont check the hardness of your cast bullets by biting on them.

 

[fecmech]

The biggest problem is hand to mouth ingestion. There are no lead fumes casting at normal casting temps of 800 deg and under. Smokers are in the most danger as they handle the lead and then the cigarette paper which is then sucked into their lungs when the cigarette burns. If you wash your hands and don't smoke it's a non issue. Indoor ranges are the worst places to shoot and are way more of a problem than casting.
That said I think we are a big time Nanny State. I'm 67 yrs old and by today's standards I'm lucky to be alive. All of my toys had lead paint on them, our home was painted with lead paint. My mother should have been arrested for child endangerment, she even had my brother and I in drop sided cribs! We rode bicycles without helmets! Oh the horror of it all.
Sorry for the rant but I hate to see people so terrified by our government and media over the lead issue.

 

[Kenneth L. Walters]

There is an article in the 2012 Gun Digest that goes into this in great detail. The bottom line is that bullet casting isn't a problem but shooting cast bullets can be. 6000 cast pistol bullets a month can cause elevated lead levels. 600 cast rifle bullets will also.

 

[tdan]

As long as you wash your hands(there is a soap product called D Lead, designed to remove heavy metals), you'll be all right. Unfortunately, in my case, countless hours of shooting in indoor ranges has had it's effects. My IQ has been lowered to the point where, instead of writing articles in scientific journals for the advancement of mankind, my literary pursuits have been reduced to random literary meanderings on internet forums............Such is the life of a shooter!

 

[Bat Guano]

Been casting off and on since 1962, sometimes in considerable quantities. When the kids were little I laid off for lead exposure reasons plus the hot equipment. Once they got older and understood the dangers I went back to it.

Some years back I read an account of an instructor--I think it was Jim Cirillo--who really got a dose of lead poisoning from extreme exposure, and it was not fun.

I think the dangers can be overemphasized, but neither do I want to ingest any more of it than I have to. Avoiding the dust and washing up is probably sufficient. With kids around I'm willing to be a little paranoid.

 

[lougotzzz]

The biggest problem is hand to mouth ingestion. There are no lead fumes casting at normal casting temps of 800 deg and under. Smokers are in the most danger as they handle the lead and then the cigarette paper which is then sucked into their lungs when the cigarette burns. If you wash your hands and don't smoke it's a non issue. Indoor ranges are the worst places to shoot and are way more of a problem than casting.
That said I think we are a big time Nanny State. I'm 67 yrs old and by today's standards I'm lucky to be alive. All of my toys had lead paint on them, our home was painted with lead paint. My mother should have been arrested for child endangerment, she even had my brother and I in drop sided cribs! We rode bicycles without helmets! Oh the horror of it all.
Sorry for the rant but I hate to see people so terrified by our government and media over the lead issue.

I agree 100%. I am a house painter for 23 years and I asked the doctor at my last physical to test for lead just to be sure. He did and it came up negative. I didnt go into the fact that I reload lead for 2 plus years. You will get more lead in you from lead solidered water pipes if you have an old house. Old dishes from the lead in the paint. **** from china. ECT.

Just wash your hands and do your tumbling seperation outside and wear a mask when you do that. Dont eat your lead projos if you get hungry and all will be OK.

Every so often take a old damp cloth and wipe down you reloading area and toss the cloth.

Fear tactics are in every aspect of life today to make people paranoid. It is working like a charm too.

 

[Rule3]

As long as you wash your hands(there is a soap product called D Lead, designed to remove heavy metals), you'll be all right. Unfortunately, in my case, countless hours of shooting in indoor ranges has had it's effects. My IQ has been lowered to the point where, instead of writing articles in scientific journals for the advancement of mankind, my literary pursuits have been reduced to random literary meanderings on internet forums............Such is the life of a shooter!

There is nothing in D lead wipes or soap that ordinary liquid hand soap with EDTA will not do. It is a chelating agent and what removes lead from your hands.