Originally Posted By TomSawyer There was an article in the local paper today about lead exposure at a Bellevue, WA gun range. <a href="http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020353191_gunrangeleadxml.html" target="_blank">http://seattletimes.com/html/l...xml.html</a> During a remodel, construction workers were exposed to so much lead in the environment that they were sent home by L&I. One of the construction workers unknowingly transported so much lead home on his clothing and gear that his 14-year-old son has a higher level of lead in his blood than the construction workers did. Three employees of the gun range also showed enough lead in their blood that they too were removed from the site. I was curious how much lead that shooters are exposed to, and found this article: <a href="http://www.gun-tests.com/performance/feb97lead.html" target="_blank">http://www.gun-tests.com/perfo...ead.html</a> It looks like the amount can be fairly significant. The rounds themselves are lead. The gases ejected from the gun when it is fired contain lead. Lead not only affects the body, but it severely affects the brain. Some of the construction workers feel like they can't concentrate as well any more, for example. Some of the typical symptoms include depression and anxiety and a loss of cognitive ability. Lead exposure in children affects brain development, hampering the formation of synapses. It is correlated in children with decreases in intelligence, verbal skills, reasoning, social engagement and emotional attachments. Lead exposure in children is also correlated with antisocial behavior and delinquency. How much of the irrationality, paranoia, and fear that drives people like Wayne LaPierre comes from lead exposure? Is it another aspect of gun ownership that is causing public health problems in this country?
Originally Posted By EdisYoda Very interesting indeed. This might explain some of the irrational beavior out there among the "enthusiasts".
