Shooting Ranges in US causing lead poisoning.

[YorkNecromancer]

This seems like it may be of interest to some members here, given that I know we have many, many shooting enthusiasts on BoLS:

[url]http://io9.com/lead-poisoning-has-become-a-serious-health-threat-at-sh-1649785369[/url]

Given that lead poisoning makes you stupid ([url]http://chemistry.about.com/od/howthingsworkfaqs/f/leadpoisoning.htm[/url]) and that there are a number of worrying links between lead poisoning and violent behaviour ([url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20961241[/url]) perhaps America should shift to making bullets out of pewter?

Or maybe Finecast?

[40kGamer]

Brass or silver could both work too...

[YorkNecromancer]

Ha! America full of nothing but silver bullets. Werewolves would s*** themselves.

[40kGamer]

Better than Wolfsbane... and we Yanks prefer stupid levels of overkill whenever possible.

[YorkNecromancer]

You are indeed a curious people.

[40kGamer]

Curious is a very flattering way of putting it.

[Kirsten]

going by most gun enthusiasts I would say it is a bit late to worry

[DarkLink]

Cause I'm sure you know so many American gun enthusiasts so well.

Some of the comments are pretty funny though.

It's pretty surprising that it isn't more prevalent considering every time one fires a gun there is gunpowder residue. Multiply that a lot, and clearly you have a problem with with the dust from high powered guns shooting bullet after bullet per fraction of a second.

Gun powder residue doesn't contain the lead, the bullets do. Nor are you going to see many fully automatic firearms at the range, and even if you did most ranges restrict you from rapid firing.

I'd be pretty insulted by some of the stuff people say if it wasn't so blatently obvious they don't have the slightest clue what they're talking about. Not that there aren't some silly things we do. Indoor ranges probably do have a lead poisoning problem.

- - - Updated - - -

Ranges are required to get special building permits. Military ranges often have lead related issues. There's significant political resistance because there have been more than a few attempts to ban lead ammo in various parts of America. Since lead is really the only viable "cheap" ammo option, ban attempts have not been taken to kindly. Steel ammo and other options are generally much more expensive if you want to buy in any real quantity.

[Denzark]

In 13 years of service I have never heard of any British studies or concerns into lead poisoning at military ranges - even from teeth arm units who put far more down the range than I ever have or will. Believe me in this increasingly litigious society people would have tried to sue by now if it had happened and the MOD would fight shy - but as they don't and even let cadet units on with no quibbling, I think the problem is not that great.

[CoffeeGrunt]

As amusing as it is to imagine a load of Americans with miniguns unloading Orkish torrents of dakka and huffing pure, vaporous lead, it's sadly probably not true. Would fit the stereotype damn well, though. Definitely reminds me of the TF2 soldier.

I wouldn't be surprised if gunpowder residue contained lead though, lead is a soft metal and a small explosion propelling it would be likely to cause some of it to be removed and expelled with the rest of the exhaust gases. Probably not enough to really harm someone unless they're doing it daily or something.