This weekend the owner of a local gunstore told me that new EPA regulations forbid a shooting range from selling the brass they sweep up to the scrap dealers because the brass is contaminated. I would not be surprised, but has anyone else heard something like this?
I’ve not heard of the EPA edict but a local police officer just about died a few years ago shoveling out the lead in the far end of the range. OSHA was not involved because of the fact he was employed by government but the state did pass laws regarding worker protection in shooting ranges after the incident.
There should be minimal contamination to the brass ejected after shooting. That being said, it would not supprise me.