Abstract
Industrial hygiene investigations of indoor firing ranges have revealed adverse health effects in range personnel from lead exposure. The most significant exposure source has been airborne lead generated during weapon firing.
Dilution ventilation has been recommended as a way to control lead exposure in indoor ranges by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, and the National Rifle Association. This research evaluated the effectiveness of using source capture local exhaust ventilation in conjunction with dilution ventilation as a means of controlling the lead dusts and fumes.
Air monitoring was conducted to determine effectiveness of control techniques for reducing airborne lead concentrations. The first trial was performed during firing of copper-jacketed bullets and using dilution ventilation. The second trial monitored airborne lead while firing lead bullets and utilizing dilution ventilation. The third trial evaluated effectiveness of source capture local exhaust ventilation used in addition to dilution ventilation in removing lead particulate generated by firing lead bullets.
It was demonstrated that copper-jacketed bullets were the most effective control method, followed by the use of local exhaust ventilation, and finally the independent use of dilution ventilation.
