Had a blood lead level test done.... and got a call from the NYS department of health

LMS

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About a year ago I started shooting USPSA - and got addicted. Outdoors in the summer, and since we're in WNY, indoors in the winter.

This past summer I heard some fellow shooters talk about getting their lead levels checked, and heard a couple of them say that their docs said to scale back on indoor shooting. So I was at my doc's office a week or so ago and they were ordering tests, I asked them to test by lead levels.

It came back slightly elevated (17). There are 5 strata of levels that each have a suggested action and this is not the lowest, but the next lowest. I am taking a break from shooting indoors for a month and getting retested after a month to see if the indoor shooting is the culprit (pretty sure it is, just don't know how much it will drop down after a month).

Anyways, they day I got the results, I also got a phone call from the NYS Department of Health, saying they want to talk to me about the test results. I did not call them back, and then I got another call from them a week later.

So - has anyone else received that call? If so, what does the conversation consist of? I really don't want to be lectured or grilled....
 
vanderblack

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I am surprised you were not covered under HIPAA. I know the results can be sent to the department of health but I was under the impression you name had to be withheld unless you signed away permission.
 
Doc8404

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He probably signed and didn't know it. Besides, DOH is the government and they monitor everything. Tell them it's not from shooting, that shit is dangerous. It's from the paint chips.
 
MilesTeg

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I looked into this a bit when started casting. One thing I did read is drink more orange juice. I guess the acid in helps rid the body of the lead. It's not uncommon for people who cast a lot or shoot indoors much to have a glass every morning with breakfast. Also from what I read it's hugely a genetic thing. Some people have had huge exposures to lead and their levels are normal and then there's people with very little contact with sky high levels. The only difference appears to be genetic. There's also de-lead soap you should wash your hand after the range with it. Also you can where a respirator whilst shooting indoors. Another possible way it's getting into your system is your clothes (you can't really absorb much through your skin so that's not what I'm referring to here), if you aren't thinking you can wipe your clean hands on your clothing and then touch one of your mucus membrane or touch some food or drink. Good luck and keep us posted. I get my levels checked annually also.
 
Frankly

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Do you reload?

What indoor range do you frequent?

Do you wash your hands after shooting? Wiping your eyes or nose frequently? Could you be picking up the old dust with your clothes and range bag, even your shoes?

I've been shooting indoors 2x week all Winter and last month my level was 3.4. Will do it again next year and see if it increases. I understand that 40 is actionable so 17 is almost halfway there. Definitely a concern, most people are at 1.
 
Cippee

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Lead bullets have antimony in them also. Stuff is great for you. That's basically the only was lead gets in you blood is from eating it or inhalation. I was a mechanic for years and the lead wheel weights never raised my lead levels. I always tested at the very bottom. I never wore gloves when I touched them. They switched over to tin and steel weights now lead is illegal. The state sent us rubber gloves to dispose of our lead weights, lol.
 
kev74

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Don't tell the state anything.

I know they will follow up on elevated blod lead levels in childhood cases, but never heard about adults being contacted.

Most lead exposure comes through the mouth. Be manic about washing your hands with soap and water after touching anything lead or gun related. If you are shooting or reloading lead bullets, you might want to switch to either coated or jacketed bullets.

When lead gets in you, your body treats it like its calcium and stores it in your bones. It takes a while after the exposure has stopped before the lead will work its way back out.
 
Marine Cpl

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Stop eating bullets.

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Eddie Gunks

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Handling spent cases is ine of the biggest ways to get lead ingestion. The primers have lead. The dust has lead.

Use gloves when handling spent cases. Wash your hands.

I bet it has nothing to do with shooting.,
 
togmaster

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I heard the same story from a guy I met at a local range. He shoots indoors most of the time and had his blood tested. He got the same call. I would ignore the call. I feel it's an invasion of privacy and if they want lead data let them conduct their own test.
 
E the massive

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If you havr children they might want to test your kids. If they come back elevated they will test your house, water an soil. I was in the biz for a few years.
 
MilesTeg

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4excal said:
Sucks that the Doctor sells you out so quickly nowadays:( you'd seek help if you needed it, don't need a big brother phone call asking you about what you do in your private world. Bah!
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They don't have a choice its the law to report elevated lead found in a blood test. My doctor waned me about that when I asked to be checked.
 
MilesTeg

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Catskillkid said:
Just out of curiosity, what the symptoms (if anything) of high lead levels?
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It depends on the person. But level needs to much higher than what the OP has it think over 100 to show symptoms. I also read that for adults there isn't too much concern. The big issue is in children with developing brains. I guess it can cause mental problems and development problems. For whatever reason I'm forgetting the actual symptoms in adults, maybe I should get tested again!
 
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