Lead Concentrations in Indoor Dust : Differences Between Indoor Shooting Ranges and Assumed Non-Lead Contaminated Sites

Sammanfattning: A projectile which missed its target and falls into the bullet trap at the end of the shooting range might not be viewed as dangerous. Yet, hazardous fumes and fine metal fragments from the bullet might contaminate the users of the shooting range. The aim of this study was to investigate if there were elevated concentrations of lead and other metals in dust found at indoor shooting ranges in relation to common household dust. My hypothesis stated that, at least lead concentrations were elevated in the dust from indoor shooting ranges, given the common use of lead in ammunition. Results from the collected dust samples proved that shooting ranges had an approximately 330 times higher mean concentration (20 354 mg/kg) compared to the reference sites (62 mg/kg). Except for iron, shooting ranges had higher concentrations for all investigated metals (lead, iron, zinc and copper). The concentrations of lead, iron, zinc, and copper at the shooting ranges likely originated from the use of different types of ammunition, and their various ways to disintegrate. Previous studies have proved a relationship between elevated lead levels in blood and lower IQ, and with the fact that shooting ranges had elevated lead concentrations it seems of high relevance to continue monitoring how lead accumulates in indoor dust in order to avoid potential effects on the human health.