Reduction of Airborne Lead Contamination in Indoor Firing Ranges Using Modified Ammunition
Abstract
A study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of decreasing or eliminating aerosol lead contamination hazards at indoor firing ranges by selectively modifying the ammunition fired. A caliber .38 Special police revolver was used in the study. Firings were conducted in a specially designed container which allowed trapping of particulate weapon effluents for subsequent analysis. Under the conditions of the experiment, conventional caliber .38 Special ammunition yielded an average of 5.64 milligrams of lead per round at the uprange position. Under identical conditions, custom-made ammunition, using copper jacketed soft point projectiles and a special lead free primer composition, yielded an average of 13 micrograms of lead per round. The data represented a decrease of lead contaminant produced per round by a factor greater than 400. The ballistic characteristics of the ammunition were also examined. There appears to be a good possibility of ballistically matching the modified ammunition with standard caliber .38 Special ammunition.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADB018797
Entities
People
- Arpad A. Juhasz
- George Samos
- Roger E. Bowman
Organizations
- Ballistic Research Laboratory