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Title: Health hazard evaluation report HETA 91-124-2192, U. S. Park Police, Washington, DC

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7086313

In response to a request from the U.S. Park Police (SIC-9221), Washington, D.C., a study was undertaken of possible hazardous exposures to lead (7439921) at a new indoor firing range. Air sampling revealed that for students using the range during training, the 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) exposures ranged from 4.4 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/cu m) to 116.4 microg/cu m of airborne lead, with a mean of 32.5 microg/cu m. For range officers, the TWA exposures ranged from 0.15 to 52.6 microg/cu m, mean 16.1 microg/cu m. Area samples ranged from 0.15 to 2291.1 microg/cu m. During qualification shooting, the 8 hour TWA exposures for students ranged from 1.0 to 103.8 microg/cu m, with a mean of 26.3 microg/cu m. For range officers, the 8 hour TWA exposures ranged from 9.7 to 39.8 microg/cu m, mean 18.0 microg/cu m. A smoke machine was used to visualize the air patterns in the firing range. It was found that contaminated air could be pulled from downrange to behind the shooting line. The authors conclude that overexposure to lead occurred during use of the firing range, due to deficiencies in the range ventilation system. The authors recommend specific measures to lessen the hazardous exposures.

Research Organization:
National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (United States)
OSTI ID:
7086313
Report Number(s):
PB-92-205863/XAB; HETA-91-124-2192
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English