Lead in Shooting Ranges

global lead advice
& support service

^{^{^{Run by}}}

The Lead Education and Abatement Design Group
Working to eliminate lead poisoning globally and to protect the
environment from lead in all its uses: past, current and new uses
ABN 25 819 463 114

Australians! Take action today. Is lead harming
you & your kids? Buy low cost, NATA accredited
laboratory lead test kits here. Sample your dust,
soil, water, paint, toys, jewellery, ceramics
	Water Lead test Kits

Proceeds from our DIY Home Lead Assessment kit sales go towards the
Keeping Australian Lead Out of Leaded Petrol Initiative.

About Us
bell system lead poisoning
Contact Us
Council Lead Project
egroups
Library-Fact Sheets
Home Page
Media Releases
Newsletters
Q&A
Referral Lists
Reports
Site Map
Slide Shows-Films
Subscribe-Donate
Useful Links

Visitor Number

QUESTION: Lead in Shooting Ranges, 02 May 2006, Tennessee USA

I live in the Waterville Springs Well-head Protected Area, a city and county drinking water source. A sporting clay range, also located inside the well head area, uses lead shot. The range has been in operation for three years, holding tournaments and competitions. The permit was for seven members only, however they now have 65 members and unlimited guests. They shoot from daylight until dark seven days a week.
The range plans to hold the State Championship this July, expecting around 300 competitors. Last year, the State Championship was held in Nashville, Tennessee with over 41,000 targets shot by 200 competitors. I am trying to provide information to the county officials regarding the contamination by lead shot. I am trying to have the range use only non toxic shot. The Cleveland Utilities, over the wellhead, hired a firm to investigate the potential contamination by lead shot. The firm replied to Cleveland Utilities "to avoid potential contamination of the drinking water the club should switch to steel or non toxic shot". After researching I realize that steel also contains contaminates, along with the targets. Our community needs help! If there is anything you could send us regarding this matter we would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you,
Sandra

ANSWER: 20 Jul 2006

Dear Sandra,
I'm sorry for the late reply. I put some links below on the topic of lead poisoning in relation to shooting ranges. Lead exposure in shooting range can contaminate the soil as well as the air. People in the shooting range can be subjected to lead poisoning through inhalation.

www.lead.org.au/fs/shootingranges.pdf (Factsheet from our website)
www.utexas.edu/safety/ehs/msds/lead.html RISKS OF LEAD POISONING IN FIREARMS INSTRUCTORS AND THEIR STUDENTS by Anthony M. Gregory, Copyright 1990 by THE ASLET JOURNAL, March/April 1990 Volume 4 Issue 2
http://www.vet.uga.edu/scwds/briefs/0700brief.pdf SCWDS BRIEFS Volume 16 July 2000 Number 2, A Quarterly Newsletter from the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia Athens, Georgia 30602
www.state.nj.us/health/surv/documents/firing_range_fs.pdf Lead Bullets and Firing Ranges Protect Yourself and Your family
www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/files/lead_range.pdf Lead hazards at indoor firing ranges, April 2000. Document adapted from "Point Blank: lead hazards at indoor firing ranges" produced by the Occupational Lead Poisoning Prevention Program of the California Department of Health Services April 1996

I hope the above information can help.
Regards,
Erik Wibowo
(Research Assistant of Global Lead Advice and Support Service)