A joint investigation involving The Grey Bruce health Unit and Public Health Ontario has found recreational shooting is a source of lead exposure.
The research was undertaken after a local physician reported a patient with blood lead levels ten times the norm. The patient was a recreational shooter.
Lead sampling of air and environmental surfaces found that anyone at a shooting range can be exposed to lead through inhalation, and from ingestion after touching contaminated surfaces, before eating or smoking.
The Health unit has suggested simple control measures to reduce exposure.
Those include modified ventilation in the shooting area, and increased separation of the shooting, and common areas.
All rifle and hand gun ranges in Grey Bruce have also been asked to put up signs advising shooters to wash their hands after shooting.
