The US mines more lead than any other country in the world, most of it in the state of Missouri. The US consumes more than 22% of the world’s refined lead, and refines more lead than any other country. Lead is the heaviest and softest of all the common metals. The majority of lead used today is for electric storage batteries. Additional uses include glass, some cosmetics and paint pigments, protective coverings for electrical cables, lead-glazed ceramics, and bullets — which leads us to the topic we are discussing today.
Why is it essential for indoor shooting ranges to be ventilated? And is it really that vital that we need to obsess over it? You’ve come to the right place for answers, as usual. Let’s look at the facts.
What does the ventilation of an indoor shooting range do for us?
The main purpose of ventilation is to remove contaminants from the air that are produced when a weapon is fired indoors. Ultimately, ventilation prevents people from breathing in those contaminants. The ventilation system will also remove smoke from the range, which enhances safety because all participants on the range will be able to see clearly.
Lead is a main concern. Bullet primers contain lead styphnate, which is released into the air when the round is fired. The compound in bullet primers contains about 50% lead compound. Bullets going down the gun barrel create friction, releasing lead into the air. Lead particles can come from the barrel, ejection port, and other places from the weapon.
On firearms with compensators, the lead particles stream out in the direction of the vents for the compensator — which is often up or back in the direction of the shooter.
Ejected bullet cases can also project lead particles everywhere as they tumble through the air to the ground. Handling these spent cases afterward can raise up additional lead particles.
Without proper ventilation, the lead particles settle on everything — clothing, every surface on the range, food, and drinks. The contamination factor can be extensive. It’s important not to eat, drink, or smoke while in the indoor range environment, as these materials can become contaminated. On top of all that, carbon dioxide and other nasties are released into the air when firing weapons.
Many indoor ranges use bullet traps, and splatter is created when bullets hit them. The splatter can project particles of lead into the air. Normally, the area where the bullet traps are located has the highest concentration of lead on the range, so going into this area is the most hazardous.
Unfortunately, while some range owners are great with ventilation and make their range as safe as possible, other owners skimp on mitigating the lead risk because of the high cost of a proper ventilation system. Hopefully, the range you are on is run by an ethical owner who has taken all the necessary steps.
Dangers of Lead
Typically, lead poisoning doesn’t happen instantly, but rather builds up over months or years. This is especially relevant for those who spend a lot of time on the range, including range personnel as well as regular shooters. Since some law enforcement personnel often train at indoor ranges, it can be an occupational hazard.
There are fewer than 200,000 cases of lead poisoning in the US annually, with most of those being linked to occupational exposures (for example, welders) or breathing dust from lead-based paint in older homes. Those who take defensive shooting seriously might shoot indoors often, and are susceptible to the dangers.
Studies have shown that people who spend a lot of time in indoor shooting ranges have blood lead levels that are up to 40 times higher than the average person. Even small amounts of lead in the body can cause serious issues, and high levels can lead to death. Lead can damage almost every organ in the body once it enters.
Signs And Symptoms of Lead Poisoning
High levels of lead can cause damage to the nervous system and kidneys in both children and adults. Young children absorb lead more readily than adults, and it is more harmful to younger children with the potential of irreversible brain damage. If you or anyone in your family have these symptoms, you need to be checked out by a doctor, especially if you frequent an indoor range or other area with high lead concentrations.
Adults
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- High blood pressure
- Miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature birth in pregnant women
- Reduced sperm count and abnormal sperm
- Joint and muscle pain
- Difficulties with memory or concentration
- Mood disorders
Children
- Hearing loss
- Seizures
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Developmental delay
- Irritability
- Learning difficulties
How Ventilation Systems Operate
The recommended airflow for a gun range is 75 feet per minute at the firing line. This airflow is referred to as the laminar flow and must be even from the floor to the ceiling. It also must have minimal turbulence.
Providing negative air pressure is also very important. This is achieved by creating more exhaust than supply air, with an industry standard of 10% more exhaust than supply.
Is Ventilation Enough?
Is mere ventilation enough? The EPA says it’s not. The EPA regulates emissions of toxic substances such as lead. They believe the best solution is an industrial dust collection system. This type of system cleans lead dust from the air of the facility continuously. Instead of venting dust outside the facility, a dust collector captures the dust. Cartridge-type dust collector filters are highly efficient at collecting small particles. When this type of system is used, it greatly limits the amount of dust that settles on surfaces in the range. As a result, it’s easier and less hazardous for workers to perform cleanups inside the range.
Cleanup
Indoor firing range workers must not use brooms, compressed air, or similar methods to lead dust from range floors, other surfaces, or clothing. Protective clothing and other equipment should be used when cleaning up indoor ranges.
Following a shooting session, whether at an indoor or outdoor range, washing your hands thoroughly is a must. In fact, after handling ammunition or firearms, it’s also a good idea to wash your hands. Interestingly, our hands are closest to the handgun (holding the gun, after all), so they typically accumulate the most amount of lead on our body. However, this is not just limited to handguns but applies to all firearms. Taking a shower following an indoor range session is also an excellent way to remove any lead that accumulates in your hair and other areas of your body.
If you’ve spent time inside an indoor shooting range, it’s also a good idea to change clothing before going home to your family. Failing to do that can introduce lead particles into your home and family.
Other Tips
Consider going to an indoor range when there are fewer shooters there. Fewer shooters means less lead in the air.
Since lead levels are very high at the bullet traps in a range (due to bullet impacts and splatter), take turns replacing or scoring targets — don’t make the same people do it over and over because they will accrue the brunt of the lead intake. Share the risk.
As soon as you’re finished shooting, leave the firing area to minimize your time to lead exposure.
In Summary
As we can see, it’s not simply a matter of ventilating a range, but rather a multi-faceted approach to reducing or eliminating our lead intake. Generally speaking, indoor shooting is fairly safe so long as the range is properly ventilated and/or filtered. Taking the additional precautions outlined above helps a lot.
- Using copper-jacketed bullets goes a long way in reducing the amount of lead particles released into the air.
- Avoid ranges that are packed with shooters.
- Change your clothing as soon as you can before heading home.
- Wash your hands immediately after shooting or cleaning your firearms.
- Shower as soon as possible.
Above all, stay alert for signs of lead poisoning in you and your family members. Using these strategies, we can continue to enjoy shooting for many years to come.
