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Get the Lead Out
Staying healthy when you shoot

When you shoot, small particles of lead, brass, copper, gunpowder, and other residues land on all surfaces, including your hands, face, and clothing. Many shooters are unaware of the threat--or ignore the warnings--but these contaminants, especially lead, can lead to serious health problems.

A new educational campaign spearheaded by the National Shooting Sports Foundation is helping to spread the word about range safety after you exit the range. The new guidelines encourage thoroughly washing your hands to remove lead, gunpowder, and other contaminant particles before you eat, smoke, or travel. While some particles enter your body through the air you breathe, contaminants can also be consumed along with foods, including that hot dog you eat at the range or the snack you buy on the way home.

The NSSF makes other recommendations to help reduce exposure to these contaminants. If you've been at a shooting event, or will be shooting in a league, the guidelines recommend changing your clothing and footwear before driving or traveling. This will help reduce the spread of some contaminants through the many contact points on your clothing that will in turn contact car seats, furniture, etc.

Most of today's indoor gun ranges and shooting facilities are safe and becoming safer thanks to ventilation system improvements and upgraded guidelines for in-range care and cleaning practices. Long gone are the days when range officials simply swept a range's lanes with a broom. It's the shooter side of the range-use equation that is now garnering attention to help keep ranges and the shooting sports as safe as possible. Follow the guidelines, and wash your hands after every shooting session.--Michael D. Faw