Massive Lead Contamination at Shooting Ranges (Lead posioning linked to violence and more)

[morningfog]

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Lead poisoning from firearms can be caused by the shaved lead particles that pass through the barrel, from dust and vaporized lead gases in the air surrounding the firing range, or from handling bullets or spent casings. (Simply touching lead bullets causes exposure to lead.)

Firing ranges are technically toxic waste sites "The grounds of some of the nation's 8,000 public and private recreational shooting ranges are contaminated with hundreds of tons of lead from bullets," said Rick Lowden, a metallurgist with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a facility managed by the Department of Energy (DOE), in their Metals and Ceramics Division. Lowden is the chief developer of the ESPTM bullet. "The most contaminated ranges pose a threat to humans and wildlife. Ducks and geese have been found poisoned in lakes polluted by lead shot. Shooting ranges could be declared hazardous waste sites by the Environmental Protection Agency when they are shut down, and it will cost millions of dollars to clean them up. DOE recognizes the contamination problem that exists at its own shooting ranges, which are used by security personnel. So, it plans to switch from lead bullets to ESPTM bullets for training and security."

According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (www.nssf.org), categories of ranges include handgun outdoors, rifle outdoors, skeet shooting, sporting clays, trap shooting, and cowboy action shooting.

The toxicity of lead exposure Both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) agree that lead harms virtually every system in the body -- physiologically and psychologically. Lead exposure has been recognized as a health hazard for over 2,000 years and can be of particular danger to small children and fetuses, as even the smallest amount can cause irreversible harm.

While lead poisoning usually takes a good deal of time to work its way through the body and cause symptoms, exposure from firing ranges may cause symptoms to appear within a matter of days or weeks. In fact, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), if the lead contained in a single bullet were totally dissolved in the water supply it could contaminate enough water to affect hundreds of thousands of people. Lead accumulates easily in the human body, since it is one of the few elements not eliminated by the kidneys, liver or skin.

The symptoms that arise due to lead poisoning or lead exposure include a long list of ailments: damage to the central nervous system, insomnia, anemia, loss of memory, sudden behavioral changes, difficulty concentrating, headaches, abdominal pains, menstrual irregularity, fatigue, depression, muscle spasms, disorientation, convulsions, psychoses, brain deterioration, brain damage, decreased fertility, malaise, high blood pressure, red blood cell damage, impotence, premature ejaculation, sterility, stillbirth, sore or bleeding gums, loss of appetite, miscarriage, digestive problems, limb paralysis, joint pains, coordination problems, elevated blood pressure, irritability, insanity, confusion, kidney or liver damage, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and even death.

There is now mounting evidence that lead poisoning may cause violence, especially in children, according to a recent report on the effects of lead pollution conducted by EWG and the Violence Policy Center (VPC) entitled "Poisonous Pastime." A subsequent study conducted by Dr. Herbert L. Needleman, a psychiatrist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, concluded similar findings, stating: "Lead is a brain poison that interferes with the ability to restrain impulses." Many Americans don't realize that the U.S. alone has around 8,000 shooting ranges, all of which are contaminated with lead pollution -- including the area surrounding the shooting ranges. "Poisonous Pastime" highlights the dangers that come from prolonged contact with lead infested areas, which can poison not only those who visit shooting ranges but also their neighbors, including wildlife and surrounding water sources. The report concluded the total amount of lead released into the environment from shooting ranges represents one of the leading causes of lead pollution in the U.S. -- as much as millions of tons of lead.

http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_8875.cfm

This may explain why so many of the pro-gun arguments are illogical, reactive, angry and incoherent. Many are likely suffering from lead poisoning. The effects on their brain is noticeable and their ability to reason hindered.

[morningfog]

1. Kick

[Coyotl]

2. Hunters spread lead on crop fields all the time, and animals ingest the shot pellets

There should be no toxic ammo!

[rhett o rick]

3. I think lead shot is outlawed in the USofA and Canada for water fowl. nm

[Major Nikon]

4. It's been banned at the federal level for that purpose since 1991

Some states had their own bans prior to 1991.

[intheflow]

5. This is an interesting perspective.

I could explain a lot. But only for people who regularly frequent gun ranges. I don't think most of America even has to go to a gun range, they can just hit the woods in the outskirts of town. Still, an interesting hypothesis.

*Edited for typo'ing a real word.

[GoneOffShore]

6. The quote about lead poisoning leading to poor impulse control is telling.

Explains a lot about the people who spend large amounts of time with weapons and on firing ranges.

[morningfog]

7. Indeed.

[lindysalsagal]

8. Crap. I never thought of that.

And these are the people we give permits to?

[valerief]

9. Where are the gungeon people? Heck, maybe I have them ALL on ignore now.

I don't know about you, but I'm going to see where the nearest firing range is to me. Hope it's far away.

[morningfog]

10. Curiously absent.

[Cleita]

12. Yes, I noticed. They kind of swooped in and then disappeared today like they're from

a different dimension. Poof! Gone! Unless.........Did that many of them get their pizza delivery?

[morningfog]

11. Kick