Assessment of lead exposure in indoor shooters in central Poland. 2023

Adam Darago, and Michał Klimczak, and Joanna Jurewicz, and Małgorzata Kucharska, and Anna Kilanowicz
Department of Toxicology, Medical University of Lodz, Muszyńskiego 1, 90-151, Lodz, Poland.

A steady increase in shooting practices is observed worldwide. Potential lead exposure at shooting ranges poses a risk to their employees and users, which is not widely reported outside of the USA, especially in Poland. Exposure to lead results from the use of bullets containing lead and the main route of exposure to this metal at shooting ranges is inhalation, i.e., during shooting or cleaning. The aim of this study was to assess lead exposure of employees and users in selected indoor shooting ranges in central Poland. Airborne lead concentrations at all locations in the shooting ranges were above Polish occupational exposure limit (OEL, 0.05 mg m-3). Elevated blood and urine lead levels, and decreased 4-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity (ALA-D) were found in subjects participating in shooting even for only a few (< 10) hours per week. Lead exposure at shooting ranges in central Poland, as indicated by elevated blood lead levels and decreased ALA-D activity, could represent an elevated risk for adverse health effects. Thus, information on the possible health consequences of lead exposure should be provided at these sites, and biomonitoring appears to be reasonable for regular workers and shooters.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007854 Lead A soft, grayish metal with poisonous salts; atomic number 82, atomic weight 207.2, symbol Pb.
D011044 Poland A country in central Europe, east of Germany. The capital is Warsaw. Polish People's Republic,Republic of Poland
D005389 Firearms Small-arms weapons, including handguns, pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, etc. Guns,Rifles,Shotguns
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D016273 Occupational Exposure The exposure to potentially harmful chemical, physical, or biological agents that occurs as a result of one's occupation. Exposure, Occupational,Exposures, Occupational,Occupational Exposures
D054041 Weapons Devices or tools used in combat or fighting in order to kill or incapacitate. Weapon

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