Wash off lead after shooting
Wash your hands and face and change clothes after shooting or handling ammunition, so lead dust stays off your food and out of your home.
- How often
- As needed
- Time
- 5 min
- Recommended for
- 1 factor
How to do it
- Don't eat, drink or smoke at the range or while handling ammunition.
- Wash your hands, forearms and face with soap and water before eating, drinking or smoking.
- Change clothes and shoes before you go home or get in the car, and wash range clothes separately from the family's laundry.
- Prefer ranges with good ventilation, and wear gloves when you clean guns or handle spent casings.
Why it helps
Firing lead bullets and handling ammunition leaves lead dust on your hands, face and clothes. From there it gets swallowed with food or carried home, where children are the most at risk. Washing up and changing clothes cut off both routes.
Be careful
Ask your doctor about a blood lead test if you shoot often, especially at indoor ranges, or if you have headaches, stomach pain, fatigue or trouble concentrating.