Lead--still a health threat for marksmen.
OBJECTIVE
Indoor shooting is a popular recreational activity all over the world. It is also a known source of exposure to lead fumes and dusts for the general, i.e. the non-occupationally exposed population. This study aimed at reporting the lead levels in blood of indoor shooters in Germany in association with personal behaviour at shooting ranges.


METHODS
Seven marksmen were examined via self-administered questionnaires. Lead level in blood (BLL) as well as airborne lead concentration (personal air sampling (PAS)) were detected.


RESULTS
All measured blood lead levels (median: 290 microglead/L; range: 240-450 microglead/L) exceeded the values of the German general population (50 microg/L). Shooters sweeping the range after training seemed especially exposed (PAS: 7.14 mglead/m3).


CONCLUSIONS
While extensive public effort is undertaken to prevent the general population from environmental lead exposure this short report gives reason to keep recreational shooting in mind when facing elevated blood lead levels or clinical symptoms possibly associated with lead intoxication.
Ochsmann
Elke
E
Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Environmental and Social Medicine, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schillerstrasse 25/29, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany. eochsmann@ukaachen.de
Göen
Thomas
T
Schaller
Karl-Heinz
KH
Drexler
Hans
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D005389:Firearms; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
D007854:Lead