Hello everyone!
I have been casting bullets and shooting cast bullets almost exclusively for about 25 years. I have my lead level checked every year at my annual physical. The only time, until now, that I have had an elevated level was one winter when a shot a handful of indoor rimfire matches. 
However, this year my level is at a 6.4. I have only cast bullets about five or six times this year, and my shooting is down a little from my average ( I have made about 75 trips to the range this year), so I am puzzled as to how this developed. 
Does anyone have any ideas as to how I can troubleshoot this problem?  I do all my casting outside in my garage, right next to the overhead garage door, with the door open, so ventilation is not a problem. Lead temps are under 850 Deg. I wash my hands after reloading, (most of the time). 

I am thinking that wearing gloves for reloading and gun cleaning would be one thing I can try, although I dont know why this would be a problem after all these years. 
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Thanks!
Joe S

Lead levels build up over time so maybe its just catching up. If you have had previous tests what were the results over the years?

The majority of lead posionings occur from breathing in lead dust, not from vaporization from melting of the lead (Lead melts at 621F. Fumes are released at 900F) or from injesting lead from not properly washing your hands after handling lead.

Leaving lead spatter on your garage floor that then gets ground into dust from driving over it with your car creates dust. 
Make sure you clean up any discarded or spilled lead after casting bullets to prevent it becoming a feedstock to be ground into lead dust.
Best to shear lead into small pieces when making alloys. 
Sawing the lead into smaller portions causes extreme dust that can be breathed in, or injested or contaminates your clothing.

After casting bullets, handling lead to make alloy or handling of the lead bullets you must ensure you very meticulously WASH your hands and WASH your clothes. 
Lead particles in your clothing can fall into your food when you are eating and lead ingestion causes lead poisoning from very small amounts.

It has been documented that radiator repairmen who use lots of lead have accidently poisoned their children from the lead contaminants in their clothing.

When my son repaired radiators he was required to change into clean clothes and required to properly wash up at the end of the work day as a safety caution at the place he worked at.

I've been casting since 1978, and always outdoors sitting in the open door of my shop too. Haven't had my levels checked since I retired 14 years ago, but never had any levels high enough to register when they did periodic checks before retiring. Now I don't bother as I'll probably keel over or get hit by a car before I get lead poisoning.

Yes, good ventilation, no food or drinks while casting, and none after until I've washed up well. Thought about using latex gloves, but always seemed like overkill to me and not needed.

Old Soldier wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2024 at 7:42pm:

that's certainly one way of looking at the issue. Death by "dried up throat" sounds horrid.