I think most of the members here are aware of the potential hazards of lead exposure during shooting and reloading. We know the potential is there, but to what degree?
I performed an interesting test today, at least I thought it was interesting I noticed my tumbling media was getting dirty, and decided to change it. At first I was going to simply discard it, when it occurred to me that I should test the lead levels it contained.
To be honest, I was expecting a non-detect, or at worst very low levels. I had 4 readings taken and the results were; 650, 600, 600, and 640 PPM (parts per million) for an average of 622.5 PPM.
The media was crushed walnut, and had been used to clean approximately 2,400 pieces of 45 ACP brass. It had cleaned a lot of 1200 pieces twice. The first cleaning was when the brass was once fired, WWB purchased new and fired once. The second cleaning was the same lot of brass after it had been loaded with 200 grain LSWC and fired.
For (a) perspective, on lead remediation projects performed by the EPA, the "Action Level" is 400 PPM. Meaning, they will perform remediation activities if the level is 400 PPM or higher. (action levels will sometimes vary from one project to another)
I should add, (before all the statisticians disparage my results) that this is not a "scientific test," as tests go. There are problems with my test, items not delineated, and "conclusions" drawn could therefore be incorrect.
For example, the media was not tested for contamination before use, the amount of cleanliness (possible contaminates removed) of the brass is not defined. The exact nature of the media, (grind and amounts) is not defined. The test does not delineate contamination derived from the primers, the factory FMJ fired, and the Lead fired, the powder and amounts, test equipment used, Etc...
This test did not begin as a "test", it was just a thought as I was preparing to toss the media. The only reason I know how much brass had been cleaned by this media is that I was keeping track of the number of times this lot of brass was being fired, and had changed the media with the first cleaning of this lot.
Having seen the results, I will in some future time perform more testing to define these variables and their results.
What is clear, is that our tumbling media is becoming lead contaminated in measurable, (and to me) surprising amounts. We should take adequate precaution to insure that we are protecting ourselves, and more importantly, our family and small children from exposure.
Tumbling in ones home (particularly with open or slotted top tumblers) presents the potential for contaminated materials to be spread through the home.
A few assumptions, (and you know what they say about those), I suspect that the bulk of contamination is from the firing of the lead bullets. I suspect that many here use their media much longer than this tested media. Many of us use only lead bullets. The point is, the contamination levels can easily be much higher in the media you have in your tumbler right now.
Yesterday, I recognized the potential contamination, but expected it to be very low. Today, I know better. A word to the wise............
.
I performed an interesting test today, at least I thought it was interesting I noticed my tumbling media was getting dirty, and decided to change it. At first I was going to simply discard it, when it occurred to me that I should test the lead levels it contained.
To be honest, I was expecting a non-detect, or at worst very low levels. I had 4 readings taken and the results were; 650, 600, 600, and 640 PPM (parts per million) for an average of 622.5 PPM.
The media was crushed walnut, and had been used to clean approximately 2,400 pieces of 45 ACP brass. It had cleaned a lot of 1200 pieces twice. The first cleaning was when the brass was once fired, WWB purchased new and fired once. The second cleaning was the same lot of brass after it had been loaded with 200 grain LSWC and fired.
For (a) perspective, on lead remediation projects performed by the EPA, the "Action Level" is 400 PPM. Meaning, they will perform remediation activities if the level is 400 PPM or higher. (action levels will sometimes vary from one project to another)
I should add, (before all the statisticians disparage my results) that this is not a "scientific test," as tests go. There are problems with my test, items not delineated, and "conclusions" drawn could therefore be incorrect.
For example, the media was not tested for contamination before use, the amount of cleanliness (possible contaminates removed) of the brass is not defined. The exact nature of the media, (grind and amounts) is not defined. The test does not delineate contamination derived from the primers, the factory FMJ fired, and the Lead fired, the powder and amounts, test equipment used, Etc...
This test did not begin as a "test", it was just a thought as I was preparing to toss the media. The only reason I know how much brass had been cleaned by this media is that I was keeping track of the number of times this lot of brass was being fired, and had changed the media with the first cleaning of this lot.
Having seen the results, I will in some future time perform more testing to define these variables and their results.
What is clear, is that our tumbling media is becoming lead contaminated in measurable, (and to me) surprising amounts. We should take adequate precaution to insure that we are protecting ourselves, and more importantly, our family and small children from exposure.
Tumbling in ones home (particularly with open or slotted top tumblers) presents the potential for contaminated materials to be spread through the home.
A few assumptions, (and you know what they say about those), I suspect that the bulk of contamination is from the firing of the lead bullets. I suspect that many here use their media much longer than this tested media. Many of us use only lead bullets. The point is, the contamination levels can easily be much higher in the media you have in your tumbler right now.
Yesterday, I recognized the potential contamination, but expected it to be very low. Today, I know better. A word to the wise............
.