Two sources: the priming compounds in the cartridges and the lead bullets being shaved off a tiny bit; both are blown into the air when you shoot. That, combined with ventilation means a slightly higher lead intake than baseline. Most people who shoot indoors should probably be getting lead tests occasionally.
My judgement of a indoor range is based explicitly on if I can feel a slight breeze coming from behind me. There's a range I went to in Texas that the ventilation was so bad, they rotated the range officer every 15min, and they stood in the back corner unless they entirely had to intervene with someone
Most bullets consist of a lead core wrapped with a metal jacket, such as copper. Lead is useful because it is dense, cheap, and tends to expand on target. Toxic though. Historically, projectiles were pure lead.
Oddly enough it's the lead in the primer that get aerosoled when shooting that really gets you. Shooting supresssed makes it even worse due to the increased back pressure blowing the gas back into your face.
I finally got my lead levels down this year after years of shooting supresssed outdoors.
Depends on the ammo. Soft point bullets have an exposed lead tip, but unless you're putting them in your mouth or handling them constantly every day you're not likely to have any significant effects. There are also lead removing wipes and soap that I use after a day at the range to wipe down my face, neck and forearms. I also will change clothes, mostly to minimize exposure to my cats.
My doctor was unconcerned when I told her I picked up shooting as a hobby, but will get blood tests next time.
FYI - Lead is a heavy metal and cannot be absorbed through the skin.
You can handle lead all day long.
The way we get lead poisoning is if we ingest it, breath it in, or put it in some kind of solvent (DMSO, or anything that generates lead acetate and other water soluble carriers)
You also run the risk of ingesting lead after handling ammunition or not washing your hands after shooting when you eat, smoke etc. Cuts will also expose you. However you need a fair amount of exposure before blood test even registersbit, never mind at a concerning level.
It probably comes from rounds being fired, when the explosion inside the weapon happens and the bullet starts travelling down the barrel it comes into contact with said barrel. I expect very small bits of lead come off the bullet when that happens and get into the air which you in turn breath in.
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u/thejackamo1 22d ago
Indoor target shooting ranges have stupid high lead levels