Lead exposure is a real concern. Lead does not go away without some type of treatment. Not to pick nits, but the state reporting level is now 20 in an adult. Been there this year
My levels went from 19 in 2006 to 35 in 2008. Since February, I have worn a half face respirator indoors and I use a lead wash when I am finished shooting to clean my hands. I also use "Clear Shield" hand protector lotion when I process brass and reload.
I have taken a natural Heavy metal cleanse through 2 regimens and I am happy to say my levels went from 35 in the beginning of February to 23 a couple weeks ago.
I have always had my levels tested but this time I did so because I had a headache every day for over 2 months.
There has been a lot of discussion on this topic on the Brian Enos Forum Here are the links
Lead exposure Another
The symptoms of lead poisoning may include:
* Irritability
* Aggressive behavior
* Low appetite and energy
* Difficulty sleeping
* Headaches
* Reduced sensations
* Loss of previous developmental skills (in young children)
* Anemia
* Constipation
* Abdominal pain and cramping (usually the first sign of a high, toxic dose of lead poison)
* Very high levels may cause vomiting, staggering gait, muscle weakness, seizures, or coma
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The hardest to overcome is the sleep disruption and the lower immunity to other diseases.
Everyone is so careful to wash their hands after shooting but guess what, your exposure is greater breathing than it is ingesting. If you have a mustache or beard, you will be breathing it for hours if you do not wash your facial hair. The nasal hairs need to be wet to work as the filters they are designed to be so use a saline nose spray before you shoot to wet the hairs and after to wash them out.
There are many things I have learned in studying this. I am exposed to lead in many aspects of my life on and off the range. I had to reduce exposure and have done so.
Drinking Milk helps (I can't drink it), 500MG of Vitamin C 2 times a day is good, Calcium supplements also help but be careful the calcium is not organic. Some will have natural lead in them.
Sorry to be so long on this, but if you have other questions, just ask. Most MDs have no idea what to do on this and give the text book remedies that really suck.
Regards,
Gary
Edited to add links