Lead Exposure while casting

Pappy Myles · June 13, 2012, 01:57:57 PM

All,
I wanted to share this piece of infor I found off the internet. I have no intention of stiring the pot from a previous forum. Nor do I lay blame on anyone other than me. I've been casting since about 18, thats about 40 years. I though I had taken all the precautions, ventilation, etc. Appearently not good enough. I had a physical a couple of months ago and was curious about the lead contend. The test was expensive, out of pocket was about 125 over what my insurance covered. I was about 5 point over the adult recommended level 15 / 10. As such, I am now in the process of building a casting bench with a vent hood that exhaust to the outside. and also in the process of seeing a hemotologist in seeing what we can do to get it down.

All our hobbies we do carry a risk, I have NOT seen a set of instructions from the tools we buy that does not advise of of the risk. esp in the mold collection of various manufactures, calibers and weights. It says it right there in BOLD LETTERS. It is up to US to take the full responsibility on making sure we understand those risks, and take the apporpriate steps. What I have not seen, that was readily available, BEFORE the internet, was a clear concise set of instructions on how to avoid or at lease reduce the risk to lead exposure while casting. I am sure it was out there, I just never took the time to do the research.

I found this the other day and would like to post it here. This is a publication from Michigan State University - Department of Medicine, that is specifically written for Bullet casters. Please read, enjoy, put to use, and reduce the exposure.

PJ Hardtack · June 13, 2012, 03:22:45 PM

PM

Interesting. I wonder how much of your lead level can be attributed to sources other than bullet casting? For example, how much time did you spend driving during the era of leaded gasoline?

I think I mentioned earlier on this thread that a friend had his lead level monitored every 6 months over a two year period as it cost him nothing for the test. He cast thousands of bullets during that time in an unventilated garage.

Another possible contamination source is handling the bullets during sizing/lubing, unless wearing surgical gloves. I may start to do that myself.

Drydock · June 13, 2012, 08:56:49 PM

I've been casting for the last 30 years, tested annualy for the last 27 years, the first 20 by the USN. Always in my shop/garage with a fan in the window. Nothing detected yet. Wear gloves, don't drink or snack.

hellgate · June 13, 2012, 11:00:24 PM

I've been casting since high school (now 62) and have been following this conversation. One question I have is: how much of a problem is it to use older slightly oxidized coated birdshot in reloading shotgun shells? I often have old shot laying around that I load up for CAS matches (I shoot black powder and reload all my ammo, cast my own rifle bullets and .454/.380 balls for Frontiersman). I'm assuming there is dust created in my MEC 600jr shotshell reloader whenever I load shells. I don't have a fan near my loading outfit but do all my casting & smelting of scrap lead outside. I'm half skeered to have my lead levels tested and open up a can of worms from a health insurance standpoint (will need to go from a group policy to an individual policy in a year or two).

fourfingersofdeath · June 14, 2012, 06:23:15 AM

I am 64. Before i went to school and for a few years afterwards, I used to help my grandfather mix paints, add powdered red lead, burn lead based paints off walls, etc with a blow torch, etc. I got pretty good operating the big blow torches and I used to go up slate roofs and solder the lead flashing around the flues he poked through the roof.

I started casting in my 20s and except for a few breaks have casted continually as well as sizing boolitsand loaidn them , which requires that they be picked up and handled. I also kept a piece of Kraft paper (heavy brown paper) on the bench (I have a humongus roll of it, Dad used to work in a paper mill). I used this to wipe lube off the base of palin based boolits as I never seem to be able to size them without getting some lube on the base.

Some thwenty five years ago, I was a bit worried and got tested. Didn't even register. I followed up a year later and pretty much the same result. i must have another go. obviously i used enough ventilation, although I never wore gloves.

Pappy Myles · June 14, 2012, 02:56:59 PM

Hay PJ,

Maybe I should have more appropriately named the thread to include sizing and handling. Again, I didnt take any special precautions and handled the lead bear handed too. I guess back then I just either didnt care or was unconcerned. Anyway, I just wanted to post the pamphlet for those that are concerned (and those that are not). The bench I'm working on may help reduce my exposure, or it just may be more of a "comfort factor". I cant say for sure what was the root cause, leaded gasoline, lead paint for the house I grew up in in the 50's, my time in the Marines (where we commonally refered to the lead density of the air becoming non condusive to good health) but that had nothing to do with casting. I grew up in a small community south east of Houston on the ship channel. Only God knows all the exposures there from various items, not just lead. And I work in the construction industry where I help build refineries. Go figure.

Maybe by taking the precautions in the future on castings that I think the new set up will help reduce and control, I can reduce or limit my exposure and get the lead level down, if possible.

Springfield Slim · June 14, 2012, 09:30:33 PM

I am confused, what was your actual level and what was the recommended level? I cast a few thousand bullets a week and I lowered my level 5 points by just not emtying my brass tumblers inside the shop. I also started adding polish to the walnut shell to further reduce the dust. My doctor said 15-20 is still within normal parameters, and I have never been that high.

Pappy Myles · June 15, 2012, 11:13:14 AM

My Level is 15. My doctor (and the Texas Department of Health) Would like it at 10. Interesting comment about the tumbler though. I have a lyman 1200 that I have used forever. I just reciently picked up a tumblers tumbler and planning on going wet with the steel pins.............

I looked the levels up. My understanding is the CDC established the level at 20 years ago, but reciently lowered it to 10. The PITA thing is that the Dept of health got involved and is wanting to know a complete history of it. They are on my iggy list.......