I've been watching this discussion and it brought up this concern/question..
We are in a rural area of colorado. Guns are very common and there are many "shooting ranges" on hillsides. These are just pull offs and have been used for years. There is one official club with indoor and outdoor ranges.
My analytical/instrumental classes started measuring lead a couple years ago in the dirt via ICP around these and under eves of old houses (and paint). As you might expect the shooting ranges have off the chart levels all around them. Many old houses have high-ish levels from paint flakes (we don't have large industrial pollution) .
Paint is easily eaten and sweet. But i have been pondering how much lead transfers to children from this dust from dad/mom shooting and tracking dust home (and real americans take their kids shooting).
I've done blood lead tests in the past at another lab and don't want students touching this. Hair tests are feasible. I would also like to test dust in the indoor shooting area.
Question is then are shattered bullets easily absorbed form of lead. I'm guessing not really as bad as paint but not good for kids to be around.
And i don't want certain people to get upset that i'm saying guns are dangerous. ;)
Comments?
Jarral Ryter
Western colorado university
Gunnison CO
