Cooperative Efforts to Address an Elevated Blood Lead Cluster from an Indoor Firing Range

BACKGROUND:  

In October 2012, the Washington State-based Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance (ABLES) program identified two elevated blood lead level (BLL) cases working at an indoor firing range. Subsequent interviews and a cluster investigation were conducted cooperatively with the Washington State Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) and Public Health-Seattle & King County (PH-SKC).  From these joint efforts, numerous deficiencies in lead exposure controls were identified at the range, in addition to lead contamination of workers’ vehicles, homes, and hotel rooms. 

METHODS:

Washington State ABLES initially conducted interviews that revealed the hazardous nature of the renovation project and extent of exposures. ABLES referred the employer to DOSH for intervention and to PH-SKC to address the potential for public exposure and environmental contamination. The DOSH multi-day investigation included employer and worker interviews, a facility assessment, and personal air and surface wipe samples for lead. PH-SKC conducted follow-up interviews with cases and other potentially lead exposed workers.

RESULTS:

At the time of this abstract, ABLES received 64 reports from 33 cases related to this project. Eighteen cases from the shooting range and 15 cases from five construction contractors. Blood lead levels ranged from 14-58µg/dl among gun range employees and 24-153µg/dl among construction contractors. Gun range employers excavated and sifted bullet trap sand. Contractors were mainly torch cutting and welding structural components to expand the building. DOSH investigators documented personal exposures to lead among shooting range workers ranging from 7-411µg/m³. High lead concentrations were also measured in surface wipes and at the facility exhaust. In addition to exposed workers, PH-SKC identified several family members and acquaintances of workers potentially exposed to lead.

CONCLUSIONS:  

Several valuable lessons resulted from this incident. Initial case interviews provided names of untested workers and information on family members at risk of lead exposure and provided work process, exposure, and hygiene information essential for the referral to DOSH. Case interviews also highlighted general lack of knowledge about hazards of workplace and take-home lead, especially among construction tradesmen. ABLES needs to better inform state and local agencies about program activities, to consistently and frequently communicate relevant lead surveillance results, and to develop and disseminate blood lead testing resources to workers and their families and case medical management guidelines to health care providers. Finally, from a public health perspective, this incident highlights that no enforceable standards are available to limit airborne lead exposures in the general public while shooting at gun ranges.