Many gun enthusiasts and beginners prefer shooting at a gun range, believing that they are at the safest place to do so.
They don’t have other people shooting at them. They only shoot at objects, and they are well-protected at all times.
What could go wrong?
Unfortunately, there is a different kind of enemy that they are unknowingly exposed to whenever they spend time in the shooting range. It’s a big problem indoors.
They are unaware that the dust they see when they fire a gun contains lead. And if you are not aware, it is a hazardous substance.
Exposure can cause many health complications, one of which is poisoning. And if you are curious about how this happens in a gun range, keep reading?
| Short term exposure | Long term exposure |
| High blood pressure | Damage to the brain |
| Cramps | Lower IQ |
| Headaches | Issues focusing |
| Hyperactivity |
How is Lead Released When Shooting?
Suppose you cannot imagine how the lead is released when shooting. In that case, it has to do with the gun. It’s specifically the ammunition. It is commonly found in bullets, typically used as its core.
A copper jacket surrounds the core of the bullet. Some of the lead gets released when you fire a gun.
This is because shooting a gun heats up and can damage the bullet, vaporizing the inside to be released into the atmosphere.
However, most of the released lead comes from the primer used to ignite the gunpowder.
Because it used in the primer is loose, it gets released into the air in larger amounts whenever you fire a gun. It’s unlike in a bullet where it is encased.
Most people think that the smoke that comes out after pulling the trigger is just pure gunpowder. In reality, this smoke also contains these particles from both the primer and the bullet.
This smoke may come out from the muzzle. Studies have shown that lead is released on both ends of the barrel. It is blown back to the shooter when the gun is fired.
Who gets Exposed?
You might think that only those who fire guns in the shooting ranges are exposed to lead.
Unfortunately, this is not the case; everyone who enters a shooting range is at risk for exposure.
Not only that, but they may also unknowingly bring home lead because it can easily stick to their clothing.
Shooters are not the only ones who are exposed to lead. It was discovered that the employees of these shooting ranges are the most affected.
This is because lead eventually settles onto any surface after becoming airborne and can remain there for a very long time.
And because there is a lot of activity in these shooting ranges, it gets disturbed. It becomes airborne once again, making it easy to be inhaled by anyone. It can also be ingested if it settles on food.
Exposure happens on both indoor and outdoor ranges, but exposure is greatest indoors. This is because the enclosed space traps lead that gets released.
And when airborne, it can circulate all over the space and eventually settle on any available space. It includes guns and safety gear.
And if the shooting range is not regularly and thoroughly cleaned, the lead will keep accumulating inside.
This is why bystanders inside the shooting range are also at risk of exposure and likely in large amounts.
In contrast, lead exposure happens in an outdoor range but in fewer amounts. Because there is better circulation outdoors, it does not get trapped in space.
Traces may be found, especially immediately after firing a gun. The open-air allows the lead to be immediately dissipated.
How Does it Affect Health?
You may be thinking right now that being exposed to lead will affect your health, even in small amounts.
Unfortunately, this is somewhat true. Exposure to lead in small amounts can already cause various health issues. However, long-term exposure or exposure in large amounts will pose the greatest hazards.
Lead can be easily inhaled and ingested because of its microscopic size, which is impossible to avoid.
Its size also plays a part in negatively affecting your health. It is too small to be blocked by any of our body’s primary defenses and cannot be destroyed once inside. It can collect and remain there for months or even years.
Because of this, it can cause all sorts of health issues. It’s both in the short-term and long-term.
And if you frequent a shooting range, you must keep an eye out for signs of lead poisoning. It is becoming more common.
When this happens, it means you experienced exposure at high levels in a short amount of time.
Symptoms to Look Out For
Only health professionals can confirm if anyone is already experiencing lead poisoning but experiencing many symptoms. If you have been spending time in a shooting range, you may already be experiencing poisoning:
| Symptoms | |
| Anemia | Mood disorders |
| Concentration or thinking difficulties | Motor or mobility issues |
| Constipation | Nausea |
| Headaches | Pain in the abdomen |
| Hypertension | Pain in the joints and muscles |
| Insomnia | Tingling, pain, or weakness in the hands and feet |
| Irritability | Weight loss |
| Lethargy |
If you spend a lot of time in a shooting range, you should ideally see a doctor every six months. These symptoms may not be immediately manifested, and any other related health effects.
Seeing a doctor may help you detect any of these health issues caused by lead exposure before it gets worse. After all, the worst effect of poisoning is death.
How Can You Protect Yourself From Lead Exposure When in a Shooting Range?
You want to continue spending time in a shooting range but avoid the various health issues caused by lead exposure. The most important thing is to protect yourself, especially when shooting.
And because it can stick to you, you must also take measures to prevent exposing others.
There are so many ways to do that, such as:
- Use lead-free or jacketed ammunition and primer.
- Wear masks or respirators with a P100 or N100 rating and ensure that they are fitted correctly.
- Shooting in a well-ventilated range.
- Practicing good hygiene after the shooting, particularly by washing your hands with cold water and showering. Changing your clothing is important.
- Separately washing the clothes you wear when shooting to avoid contaminating your laundry.
- Avoid bringing food and drinks to the shooting range.
- If cleaning guns, wear protective equipment. It includes gloves.
- Never load a gun in a poorly-ventilated area.
There are no safe levels of lead exposure. That is why you must ensure that you are well-protected whenever you spend time at a gun range, even if you are merely a spectator.
While you may not like some of these initiatives, they are the best initiatives you can take if you are careful to limit your exposure to lead particles.
If you have young children, these are the individuals that are the most at risk when it comes to exposure.
