Dust entry

Lead bullet-recycling dust

Lead-containing dust generated during recycling and processing of spent bullets.

Airborne form

dust

The form describes what is suspended in air at the point of exposure. A material can produce more than one form, such as dust during handling and fume during heating.

Health effects

lead overexposureelevated blood lead levelsoccupational lead toxicity

Evidence

A NIOSH health-hazard evaluation at a lead bullet-recycling company found that most employees were overexposed to lead in air, lead was tracked outside production areas and found inside respirator facepieces, and employee blood-lead levels were elevated; NIOSH recommended improved controls and medical surveillance.

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Description · 1

We found that most employees were overexposed to lead in air. Surface sampling showed lead was being tracked outside of production areas. Lead was also found inside employees' respirator facepieces. Employee blood lead levels were elevated.

The original NIOSH report confirms that most employees were overexposed to airborne lead during bullet recycling and that employee blood-lead levels were elevated.

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page 3 · Our Key Findings · 1

Most employees were overexposed to lead in air. Employee blood lead levels were elevated.

Controls

local exhaust ventilation over melting pots and furnaces
enclose melting processes
medical surveillance
cleaning and work-practice controls
worker training
appropriate respiratory protection