Posted on 03/09/2024 4:22:38 PM PST by ConservativeMind
Childhood lead exposure, primarily from paint and water, is a significant health concern in the United States, but a new study has identified a surprising additional source of lead exposure that may disproportionately harm children: firearms.
Rsearchers found an association between household firearm ownership and elevated lead levels in children's blood in 44 states, even when controlling for other major lead exposure sources.
Firearm-related take-home lead occurs when an individual discharges a firearm that uses lead-based ammunition and primer, which are the most commonly used in the United States, Hoover said. The lead dust settles on clothes and personal items, such as phones or bags, as well as in vehicles and common spaces. Children are more vulnerable to lead than adults due to their tendency to ingest contaminants through normal hand-to-mouth behaviors.
"Typically the places where the firearm-related lead collects, such as in carpets, are places where young children spend a considerable amount of time," said Hoover.
The researchers used a widely-accepted proxy measure to estimate state levels of household gun ownership. This metric combines data on firearm suicides, hunting licenses, subscriptions to Guns and Ammo magazine and background checks.
They compared the data from the proxy measure with reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of blood lead concentration surveillance data for children under 6. The analysis spanned the years between 2012 and 2018.
According to the study, for every 10% increase in the number of households that report owning a gun, there is an approximate 30% increase in cases of elevated pediatric blood lead levels.
Childhood exposure to lead increases the risk of behavioral problems, reduced cognitive abilities and poor growth and development. There is no safe level of lead exposure, said Joseph Braun.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
I have walked around my home in my indoor shooting range shoes and clothing, even though I know the range I go to was noted as needing a lot more done to reduce ambient lead. Shooters and staff had pretty high lead levels, I recently heard.
Lead works its way from blood, to organs, then to bone. Some can come out in urine, especially if you eat certain foods (cilantro) or supplements.
What lead can cause in the body is never good, so minimize it. There are some lower lead ammo options and Federal and CCI have a primer that is lead free and fires at least as well as the best of the lead forms.
The Soviet Medical Society with a political agenda here mRNA COVID vaccines were safe they told everyone.
Can one get blood work and test for lead levels?
This headline needs a qualifier. The vast majority of American gun owners hardly ever use their gun nor go to a shooting range. Talk about painting with a broad brush here. Would police or any other government agent that uses a gun on a daily basis also be the target of this research?
Hoplophobic hysteria!
They want the guns. It’s obvious it’s the Commies next move.
“This metric combines data on firearm suicides, hunting licenses, subscriptions to Guns and Ammo magazine and background checks.”
Anyone who can’t see through these scientifically bogus criteria and capacity for data manipulation should take another booster or two.
Some Dept. of “Children’s Services” *MUST* remove ALL children from the homes of ALL law enforcement agents, IMMEDIATELY!
“Firearm ownership is correlated with elevated lead levels in children,”
That’s because a lot of democrats shoot their kids...and wives too while they are at it,
Oh, puh-LEEEZE!
They have been after lead for the last 50 years. Always trying to find a way to ban lead in anything but their actual target is bullets by any means.
I work in an industry where I’m always exposed to lead. I also target shoot as often as I can though the last few years have been less than I would have liked.
I have my Doc every couple of years run a blood test emphasizing lead exposure (heavy metals test). So far I’m lead free but YMMV.
But it’s for the children!
But not all.
No aborts, kids trans procedures, kid border crossers left to die in the desert, etc.
I do believe you need a big big dose of read between the lines… This is not about lead
Yes, I know several high volume Cowboy shooters who get tested occasionally.
Grade “AAA” Bullshit.
This is my experience. I have been a firearms enthusiast for over 50 years. Target and silhouette shooter. Reloader and bullet caster. Salvaged lead from tire weights, batteries, linotype, and a any and everything i could find, because I shot a lot, and was on a budget most of the time. 73 now, still shoot just about every day. Lead levels are normal.
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