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. 1989 Aug;79(8):1029–1032. doi: 10.2105/ajph.79.8.1029

Lead absorption in indoor firing range users.

S E Valway 1, J W Martyny 1, J R Miller 1, M Cook 1, E J Mangione 1
PMCID: PMC1349901  PMID: 2751019

Abstract

To determine if users of indoor firing ranges may be at risk from lead exposure, we studied a law enforcement trainee class during three months of firearms instruction. Blood lead levels were obtained before training and at four-week intervals during training. Air lead levels were measured three times during instruction. Blood lead levels rose from a pre-training mean of 0.31 mumol/L to 2.47 mumol/L. Mean air lead levels were above 2,000 micrograms/m3, more than 40 times the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's standard of 50 micrograms/m3. Cumulative exposure to lead and the change in blood lead were positively correlated. Control measures need to be studied to determine their efficacy in decreasing or eliminating this health risk.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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