Occupational Exposure to Metals in Shooting Ranges: A Biomonitoring Study

Vandebroek, Eline; Haufroid, Vincent; Smolders, Erik; Hons, Luc; Nemery, Benoît

doi:10.1016/j.shaw.2018.05.006

Cited by 17 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 30 publications

(57 reference statements)

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“…Although most element concentrations did not differ significantly between both groups, the subjects of the high-exposure group had significantly higher concentrations of Sb in urine and Pb in blood samples compared to the control group. 31 Similar to the Belgian study, the high-exposure group in the present study showed higher BLL, still within the specified normal range. In a study by Hiller and Drexler, Pb and Sb concentrations in the blood and Sb concentrations in the urine of Bavarian police officers were examined.…”

Section: Focus On Metal Levelssupporting

confidence: 88%

“…One group was highly exposed to gunshot emissions and included (shooting instructors, special forces and shooting range maintenance staff); the other group served as a control group and was composed of police officers working at the administration. Although most element concentrations did not differ significantly between both groups, the subjects of the high‐exposure group had significantly higher concentrations of Sb in urine and Pb in blood samples compared to the control group 31 . Similar to the Belgian study, the high‐exposure group in the present study showed higher BLL, still within the specified normal range.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

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Long‐term indoor gunshot exposure of special police forces induces bronchitic reactions and elevated blood lead levels—The Berlin shooting range study

Witt

Kienast

Bölke

et al. 2022

J cachexia sarcopenia muscle

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Background Gunshot emissions contain toxic elements that can harm those frequently exposed, such as police officers. Several years ago, police indoor firing ranges were closed by the Berlin municipality in response to police officer health complaints, and an investigation was launched into the possible respiratory health risks of frequent gunshot emission exposure. We, therefore, conducted an exploratory cross‐sectional study to investigate clinical and functional parameters of respiratory health as well as the burden of trace elements in policemen with long‐term high exposure to indoor gunshot emissions, compared to low‐exposure and control groups. Methods We conducted lung function tests and collected blood and urine samples from Berlin police officers and government employees who were divided into three subject groups based on exposure to gunshot emissions: high exposure (n = 53), low exposure (n = 94) and no exposure (n = 76). Lung function was examined using body plethysmography. Blood and urine samples were tested via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the presence of common gunshot powder elements (antimony, lead and manganese). Exposure and symptoms were assessed using records as well as questionnaires. Results Higher exposure was associated with more respiratory symptoms during gun shooting practice (64% vs. 21%, P < 0.001) compared to the low‐exposure group. Headache, cough, discoloured mucous and shortness of breath were also more common as were some other symptoms. The cough symptomatology of the high‐exposure group also persisted significantly longer (median: 0.67 vs. 0.01 days, range: 0 to 5 days, P = 0.029) compared to the low‐exposure group. They also showed a lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity quotient (Tiffeneau index), P = 0.018 between the three groups and P = 0.005 for the high‐exposure group, a possible marker of early, subclinical bronchial obstruction. We observed increased blood lead concentrations depending on subject's age (+1.2% per year, 95% confidence interval: 0.5–1.9%, P < 0.001) and cumulative gunshot exposure (+0.34% per 100 000 shots, 0.02–0.66%, P = 0.037). Conclusions These first results suggest that long‐term exposure to indoor gunshot emissions induces bronchitic reactions due to repeated irritation of the airways. Higher levels of exposure lead to more negatively impacted lung function and higher blood lead levels with the possible reason that more frequent exposure may mean shorter regeneration phases for the respiratory mucous membrane. We recommend a reduction of exposure to gunshot emissions in order to decrease symptoms and avoid any—even small—deterioration in spirometry.

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Section: Focus On Metal Levelssupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

Long‐term indoor gunshot exposure of special police forces induces bronchitic reactions and elevated blood lead levels—The Berlin shooting range study

Witt

Kienast

Bölke

et al. 2022

J cachexia sarcopenia muscle

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“…Although few studies have looked at biomarkers of exposure in firing range instructors, a study from Belgium did find that lead was elevated in blood and urine of firing range employees, including instructors, compared to a control group [ 25 ]. Other occupations where exposure to heavy metals is common may also provide insight into the biological response to firing emissions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure to lead-free frangible firing emissions containing copper and ultrafine particulates leads to increased oxidative stress in firing range instructors

et al. 2022

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Background Since the introduction of copper based, lead-free frangible (LFF) ammunition to Air Force small arms firing ranges, instructors have reported symptoms including chest tightness, respiratory irritation, and metallic taste. These symptoms have been reported despite measurements determining that instructor exposure does not exceed established occupational exposure limits (OELs). The disconnect between reported symptoms and exposure limits may be due to a limited understanding of LFF firing byproducts and subsequent health effects. A comprehensive characterization of exposure to instructors was completed, including ventilation system evaluation, personal monitoring, symptom tracking, and biomarker analysis, at both a partially enclosed and fully enclosed range. Results Instructors reported symptoms more frequently after M4 rifle classes compared to classes firing only the M9 pistol. Ventilation measurements demonstrated that airflow velocities at the firing line were highly variable and often outside established standards at both ranges. Personal breathing zone air monitoring showed exposure to carbon monoxide, ultrafine particulate, and metals. In general, exposure to instructors was higher at the partially enclosed range compared to the fully enclosed range. Copper measured in the breathing zone of instructors, on rare occasions, approached OELs for copper fume (0.1 mg/m3). Peak carbon monoxide concentrations were 4–5 times higher at the partially enclosed range compared to the enclosed range and occasionally exceeded the ceiling limit (125 ppm). Biological monitoring showed that lung function was maintained in instructors despite respiratory symptoms. However, urinary oxidative stress biomarkers and urinary copper measurements were increased in instructors compared to control groups. Conclusions Consistent with prior work, this study demonstrates that symptoms still occurred despite exposures below OELs. Routine monitoring of symptoms, urinary metals, and oxidative stress biomarkers can help identify instructors who are particularly affected by exposures. These results can assist in guiding protective measures to reduce exposure and protect instructor health. Further, a longitudinal study is needed to determine the long-term health consequences of LFF firing emissions exposure.

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“…Although few studies have looked at biomarkers of exposure in ring range instructors, a study from Belgium did nd that lead was elevated in blood and urine of ring range employees, including instructors, compared to a control group (25). Other occupations where exposure to heavy metals is common may also provide insight into the biological response to ring emissions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure To Lead-Free Frangible Firing Emissions Containing Copper And Ultrafine Particulates Leads To Increased Oxidative Stress In Firing Range Instructors

McNeilly

Schwanekamp

Hyder

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Background: Since the introduction of copper based, lead-free frangible (LFF) ammunition to Air Force small arms firing ranges, instructors have reported symptoms including chest tightness, respiratory irritation, and metallic taste. These symptoms have been reported despite measurements determining that instructor exposure does not exceed established occupational exposure limits (OELs). The disconnect between reported symptoms and exposure limits may be due to a limited understanding of LFF firing byproducts and subsequent health effects. A comprehensive characterization of exposure to instructors was completed, including ventilation system evaluation, personal monitoring, symptom tracking, and biomarker analysis, at both a partially enclosed and fully enclosed range. Results: Instructors reported symptoms more frequently after M4 rifle classes compared to classes firing only the M9 pistol. Ventilation measurements demonstrated that airflow velocities at the firing line were highly variable and often outside established standards at both ranges. Personal breathing zone air monitoring showed exposure to carbon monoxide, ultrafine particulate, and metals. In general, exposure to instructors was higher at the partially enclosed range compared to the fully enclosed range. Copper measured in the breathing zone of instructors, on rare occasions, approached OELs for copper fume (0.1 mg/m³). Peak carbon monoxide concentrations were 4-5 times higher at the partially enclosed range compared to the enclosed range and occasionally exceeded the ceiling limit (125 ppm). Biological monitoring showed that lung function was maintained in instructors despite respiratory symptoms. However, urinary oxidative stress biomarkers and urinary copper measurements were increased in instructors compared to control groups.Conclusions: Consistent with prior work, this study demonstrates that symptoms still occurred despite exposures below OELs. Routine monitoring of symptoms, urinary metals, and oxidative stress biomarkers can help identify instructors who are particularly affected by exposures. These results can assist in assigning alternative work to reduce exposure and protect instructor health. Further, a longitudinal study is needed to determine the long-term health consequences of LFF firing emissions exposure.

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Occupational Exposure to Metals in Shooting Ranges: A Biomonitoring Study

Cited by 17 publications

References 30 publications

Long‐term indoor gunshot exposure of special police forces induces bronchitic reactions and elevated blood lead levels—The Berlin shooting range study

Long‐term indoor gunshot exposure of special police forces induces bronchitic reactions and elevated blood lead levels—The Berlin shooting range study

Exposure to lead-free frangible firing emissions containing copper and ultrafine particulates leads to increased oxidative stress in firing range instructors

Exposure To Lead-Free Frangible Firing Emissions Containing Copper And Ultrafine Particulates Leads To Increased Oxidative Stress In Firing Range Instructors

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