Lead protection when reloading

First topic message reminder :

For those of you who are reloading, what do you do (if anything) to avoid issues from handling lead bullets?

How big a concern is this?

Should I start wearing surgical gloves?

I had high levels when I used dry media to clean brass. I switched to sonic cleaning and numbers are back down.

LenV wrote:I never wear gloves. I never wear a mask. I do add a little waxy water to my dry media tumbler to keep the dust down. I have handled thousands and thousands of lead bullets and have never had a level higher then 9. My only advice would be don't load bullets and eat chips with the same hand. I sometimes remember to wash up right away. Sometimes don't. I use to handle a lot of lead in my occupation and got tested a lot. Contact isn't a problem. Just have to keep it out of your mouth and nose.

Len

Len I am with you on this.  I have reloaded sisce I was 16 and am still doing it at 71.  I have handled fishing sinkers since I was 5.  I do now thing biting split shot sinkers to close them may not have been a good practice.  Don

I shoot outside when feasible. I wear nitrile gloves when cleaning guns and doing any sort of reloading work. I don't suck on my fingers after shooting.

I've thought about ultrasonic cleaning, but I just can't justify the expense or hassle to myself. Maybe someday.

Interestingly enough, mercury amalgam fillings were used for many-many years (I have a couple) without any negative effects.  Modern filling substitutes (which may not be as durable) have replaced those.  But, there was no scientific evidence they caused any harm.  Personally, I find the scientific studies for lead absorption and poisoning to be less rigorous than desired.  It's not like lead hasn't been used since the beginning of human civilization, and yet 'new' non-rigorous 'scientific' information is being found - who pays for this? 

Being somewhat critical (and not going into politics here), I have suspensions that anti-gun organizations or organizations with an anti-gun bias finance some of the negative 'anti-lead' studies - call me paranoid, or more scientifically-critical than most.  But, it is known that many scientific studies have a bias (which, is actually part of the scientific method) and that bias is influenced by the funding.  Peer reviewed scientific journals require disclosure of the funding source - but not the internet (of course) and even then the funding source can be obfuscated.

P.S. Not breathing lead vapors or dust and having good ventilation (which I consider a basic human right), along with washing your hands after shooting and reloading - or anytime you get them dirty - goes a long way to preventing lead contamination.  The biggest hazard in reloading (IMO, which all of the above is), is double loading a charge due to being inattentive.

P.P.S.  Lead based paint - particularly that which is applied to children's toys is completely unacceptable.

Edit: for those who don't see the similarities between mercury and lead, here is a medical article on the topics: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/714387_1

Bullseye_Stan wrote:Interestingly enough, mercury amalgam fillings were used for many-many years (I have a couple) without any negative effects.

Don't confuse different substances.

Lead poisoning and the effects of lead are well documented.

Slartybartfast wrote:

Bullseye_Stan wrote:Interestingly enough, mercury amalgam fillings were used for many-many years (I have a couple) without any negative effects.

Don't confuse different substances.

Lead poisoning and the effects of lead are well documented.

I agree.  It's a personal issue, and super easy to get tested. For me, much of the preventative measures are common sense, particularly if your levels are higher than you like.

A fabric softener sheet and a tablespoon of mineral spirits in the tumbler help keep the walnut shell dust down for me.  The fabric softener sheet collects a lot of grunge as well, extends the life of the walnut shell a bit.

+1.  Wife always wonders where they go..