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Evaluation of Lead Exposure at an Indoor Law Enforcement Firing Range
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2017/08/01
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Source: Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, HHE 2016-0232-3285, 2017 Aug
[PDF-2.34 MB]
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Description:The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from the employer at a federal law enforcement indoor firing range who was concerned about lead exposure among firearms instructors. This range used frangible and nonfrangible (duty) ammunition. Duty ammunition contained mostly lead, while frangible ammunition contained mostly copper and some zinc. During our evaluation, HHE Program investigators observed work practices, including shooting, cleaning firearms, range hygiene, and range cleanup. We measured (1) airborne exposures to lead, (2) lead on employees' hands and footwear when leaving the range, (3) employees' blood lead levels, and (4) lead, copper, and zinc concentrations on surfaces inside and outside the range. HHE Program investigators evaluated ventilation system performance. We interviewed firearms instructors about work history and practices, lead-related medical history, and recreational lead exposure sources. We found lead in the air, but below occupational exposure limits. Lead was found on all surfaces tested including instructors' skin and footwear. Copper and zinc were also found on tested surfaces. All instructors had detectable blood lead levels, some > 5 micrograms per deciliter, which NIOSH defines as elevated according to its surveillance case definition. The ventilation system was not performing according to NIOSH recommendations. Instructors and shooters used dry sweeping methods to remove lead-dust and lead-dust contaminated objects. All instructors wore their work clothes and shoes home. To improve the safety and health of firing range instructors and shooters, we recommended the employer (1) hire a firing range ventilation specialist for all range ventilation maintenance, including testing and balancing the ventilation system
(2) start a lead exposure monitoring program
(3) use wet cleaning methods
and (4) provide no-slip style disposable shoe covers, lockers for street clothes and work clothes, and on-site laundry service.
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Pages in Document:42 pdf pages
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Contributor:Booher, Donald E.;Galloway, Ellen;Moore, Kevin;Sammons, Deborah;Watts, Shawna;
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NIOSHTIC Number:nn:20050230
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NTIS Accession Number:PB2018-100067
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Citation:NIOSH [2017]. Evaluation of lead exposure at an indoor law enforcement firing range.;By Grant MP, Eisenberg J, Methner M. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and;Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for;Occupational Safety and Health, Health Hazard Evaluation Report 2016-0232-3285,;
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Federal Fiscal Year:2017
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Peer Reviewed:False
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