Lead absorption in indoor firing range users.
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.
Valway
S E
SE
Diabetes Program, Indian Health Service, Albuquerque, NM 87102.
Martyny
J W
JW
Miller
J R
JR
Cook
M
M
Mangione
E J
EJ
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D003120:Colorado; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005389:Firearms; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors; D014691:Ventilation
D000393:Air Pollutants; D011166:Porphyrins; D007854:Lead