I need to get accurate information about what filters to use on my face respirator when casting bullets.  I use a Scott face mask, my pot has a vent hood over it that removes the vapors thru an air duct powered by a bathroom fan and exhausts to the outside of my shop.  Every time I cast bullets, the next day I have a sore throat.  Talked to the people at the company and nobody can give me a definite answer as to what filter I should be using for lead fumes.  Anybody know for sure what type of respirator filter is used in the lead industry?

      The vapor pressure of molten lead is minimal.  The only ingestion/inhalation problem is with the dross of lead oxides.   Proper house-keeping around the casting area is the only precaution necessary.  I have been casting bullets for 60 years and a couple of blood tests have shown no lead problem.

CHRIS
RGChristensen

I have only been casting about 50 years. No issues and blood test shows me clean and slick as a whistle.  I agree with the above, minor allergic reaction or irritation due to flux vapor or handling contamination, not lead vapor.

You may be allergic to breathing through the mask.

If I may add washing should be done with COLD water not hot not warm. You want those pores closed. Really not much different than working with fiberglass and/or particulates fine enough to enter your skin pores. With cold water those cleaners with abrasives work best.   

Finally as a rule thumb lead particulate is a threat through injestion more so than inhalation, though inhalation in extremes will answer.. In extreme handling situations lead can find opportunistic avenues into a persons blood stream but it's not common. Those who grew up in metro areas with lots of heavy lead gasoline traffic in the 1950-1970's such as Los Angeles and other big cities will almost always test higher than 
those  folks in the country. Lead accumulations in older age brackets often show no serious affects but with the younger and children in particular it's affects can be very debilitating. No it's not a metal you want residing in your organs but like most things a bit of moderation and consideration will generally suffice. No need for panic or extremes just routine caution 

You might be onto something with the flux. I've never fluxed my lead, and only skim it if it gets a lot of impurities on the top.

You might have always been slightly allergic to the flux fumes but could be getting sensitized to the fumes from exposure over the years. Did you change flux or anything before the problem started. Just a thought. ratseye

Could you be reactive to the fumes of your flux? 

I use corn meal for a flux and the taste of the smoke stays in my mouth after a day-long casting session. 

Possibly changing your to something less smoky?