Blood lead levels

First topic message reminder :

I have been doing quite a bit of indoor shooting this winter (approximately 3 x a week) at a variety of different ranges. Some with very poor ventilation.  Had my lead levels checked for the first time. Results were at 39.  After consulting with other shooters in my leagues I am now using a half face respirator, using Dlead wipes after shooting, and taking more precautions during reloading. Am considering trying coated bullets as my range does not allow jacketed.  Does anyone have experience with them, or advice on the lead issue?

Elevated lead levels? Do you by chance live in Flint Michigan?

As a matter of fact I do live in Michigan, about 75 miles from Flint, but am on good old well water.

One of my clubs shut down to undergo all sorts of upgrades after a couple juniors exhibited elevated lead levels when tested. Should be reopening soon. I know of one other local to me that did the same thing. Both were done I believe after State inspections, but as far as I know, they shut down on their own to address the issues on concern before being forced to do so.

This thread may answer some questions for me and my cardiologist.  My heart is a train wreck and it's been doing pretty good the last few years.  All of the sudden my BP has been thru the roof.  We can't narrow it down but after reading this tonight I might mention to him I've been a reloading fool as well as shooting.  Never had my lead tested and been shooting for 40 years or so.

I wonder if the increased shooting the last several months might be the culprit for my BP climbing.

Get it checked.  But above all else get your BP under control.  Your health is more important than trigger pulling.

Wobbley wrote:Get it checked.  But above all else get your BP under control.  Your health is more important than trigger pulling.

I'll tell you what..High BP is no joke.  It makes my life miserable!  Head spins etc.  My Cardio has been pulling his hair trying to figure why..Next steps was going to the cath lab..Ughhhh.

Maybe this is part of the problem

Anemia is the first symptom of elevated lead levels. Does anemia lead to high blood pressure?

I forgot to mention a great line of lead cleaning soaps and products from Esca-tech in Milwaukee WI. I got great decreases in my lead levels by using their D-Lead soap.

Blood pressure meds have side effects. Mine make me nauseous if I do anything strenuous in direct sunlight. This is a condition that is easily dealt with so don't let it go. It is often genetic so if a parent or sibling has/had it, then you should be mindful.

Joel

Let your doctor know if you are using double-base powders (many pistol powders, bullseye especially) which have nitroglycerin in them. Some of the nitro is absorbed through the skin if you find yourself handling it, or lungs if breathing any dust during pouring it, and it will make your heart rate go up, and if I remember correctly, the BP as well.  That effect is usually rather immediate and you may can check before, during and after reloading sessions. I do not know/recall of long-term effects, but it mentioning this to your M.D. is worthwhile.....meantime, using the gloves and other precautions seems like a good idea.

A friend mentioned constantly getting headaches after and during reloading and this was the cause.

-Ron

r_zerr wrote:Let your doctor know if you are using double-base powders (many pistol powders, bullseye especially) which have nitroglycerin in them. Some of the nitro is absorbed through the skin if you find yourself handling it, or lungs if breathing any dust during pouring it, and it will make your heart rate go up, and if I remember correctly, the BP as well.  That effect is usually rather immediate and you may can check before, during and after reloading sessions. I do not know/recall of long-term effects, but it mentioning this to your M.D. is worthwhile.....meantime, using the gloves and other precautions seems like a good idea.

A friend mentioned constantly getting headaches after and during reloading and this was the cause.

-Ron

I'll make sure to pass this on to the doc

Thanks

Ron, you make an interesting statement about heart rate and double base powders. Is there any evidence that the burning of the powder can also raise your heart rate. By burning I mean shooting on a range and having all the residue come back in your face.
Stan

Stan,

I don't know. That is something that I have not heard regarding burning the powder.  I do know what I heard from my friend, and recalling conversations, I also heard it from a QA guy I worked with who had worked in an explosive plant regarding the sensitivity of some people to nitro in powders. Apparently it is fairly known in the industry, and those who suffer from it just do not get to play there.

-Ron

I was wrong about high blood pressure, at least based on the MSDS for Ramshot, a double base powder. The headache and effects via skin absortion is listed:

Potential Health Effects–Eye contact may cause irritation. Acute contact may cause skin irritation. Acute exposure may cause irritation to nose, mouth, throat and lungs. Ingestion may cause irritation to gastrointestinal tract.Nitroglycerin content may cause dilation of blood vessels with a drop in blood pressure and headache, cyanosis and mental confusion. Nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain may also occur.Some components of this granular mixture may be absorbed directly through the skin

http://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/msds1.pdf


-ron

r_zerr wrote:I was wrong about high blood pressure, at least based on the MSDS for Ramshot, a double base powder. The headache and effects via skin absortion is listed:

Potential Health Effects–Eye contact may cause irritation. Acute contact may cause skin irritation. Acute exposure may cause irritation to nose, mouth, throat and lungs. Ingestion may cause irritation to gastrointestinal tract.Nitroglycerin content may cause dilation of blood vessels with a drop in blood pressure and headache, cyanosis and mental confusion. Nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain may also occur.Some components of this granular mixture may be absorbed directly through the skin

http://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/msds1.pdf


-ron

As an (now retired) EMT we often had potential heart attack patients who had already taken one or more of their own Nitro tablets. The first question was 'Do you have a headache?' A "No" answer meant that they got one of our Nitro's. While I have not observed it in powder the tablets can lose strength rapidly, especially if exposed to significant amounts of light. Our supply was rotated regularly and generally anyone who did not get a headache from their own, had one shortly after taking ours.
In years past when loading lots of ammo for High-Power rifle I could expect to get a headache during a long session. Apparently I load in much shorter sessions these days because it does not happen anymore.

Bruce

I've never ever thought of the headache I sometimes get when reloading.  I have to say Gents, if this is whats causing the High BP I will be thrilled to know it.  The not knowing whats causing it is the crappy part!

Joe

Nitrates don't cause high BP, but are sometimes used to lower it.  They can also give you a rip-roaring headache.  They dialate the blood vessels and this is why they're used to alleviate angina.  Not sure about lead and BP but each body reacts differently.  

Get your BP under control.  It only gets worse.  One of the bad results is stroke and that is a fate much worse than death.  I lost my husband 14 months after his stroke and it was not a pleasant life for him or me.

Wobbley wrote:Nitrates don't cause high BP, but are sometimes used to lower it.  They can also give you a rip-roaring headache.  They dialate the blood vessels and this is why they're used to alleviate angina.  Not sure about lead and BP but each body reacts differently.  

Get your BP under control.  It only gets worse.  One of the bad results is stroke and that is a fate much worse than death.  I lost my husband 14 months after his stroke and it was not a pleasant life for him or me.

I'm trying!  We will get it figured out

lablover wrote:

Wobbley wrote:Nitrates don't cause high BP, but are sometimes used to lower it.  They can also give you a rip-roaring headache.  They dialate the blood vessels and this is why they're used to alleviate angina.  Not sure about lead and BP but each body reacts differently.  

Get your BP under control.  It only gets worse.  One of the bad results is stroke and that is a fate much worse than death.  I lost my husband 14 months after his stroke and it was not a pleasant life for him or me.

I'm trying!  We will get it figured out

You mentioned this occurred over the last few months.   It is winter.   Most of us are not getting any sunshine or much exercise outdoors either 

Because of this our vitamin D levels are low.   

Almost everyone needs vitamin d supplements, and low vitamin D is associated with high blood pressure also.  If you take Either Prilosec or Nexium, that can also cause malabsorption of other vitamins that help control blood pressure.  

I lost some weight, upped my Vitamin d, cut out quite a few refined carbs, got off the Prilosec, and stopped drinking coffee except on an occasional basis.   My blood pressure dropped like a rock.

Schaumannk wrote:

lablover wrote:

Wobbley wrote:Nitrates don't cause high BP, but are sometimes used to lower it.  They can also give you a rip-roaring headache.  They dialate the blood vessels and this is why they're used to alleviate angina.  Not sure about lead and BP but each body reacts differently.  

Get your BP under control.  It only gets worse.  One of the bad results is stroke and that is a fate much worse than death.  I lost my husband 14 months after his stroke and it was not a pleasant life for him or me.

I'm trying!  We will get it figured out

You mentioned this occurred over the last few months.   It is winter.   Most of us are not getting any sunshine or much exercise outdoors either 

Because of this our vitamin D levels are low.   

Almost everyone needs vitamin d supplements, and low vitamin D is associated with high blood pressure also.  If you take Either Prilosec or Nexium, that can also cause malabsorption of other vitamins that help control blood pressure.  

I lost some weight, upped my Vitamin d, cut out quite a few refined carbs, got off the Prilosec, and stopped drinking coffee except on an occasional basis.   My blood pressure dropped like a rock.

Awesome info

Thank you so much for the details......You may be on to something here...Never thought of any of that..