A recent study by The University Hospital in Washington, D.C., found a correlation between gun residue exposure and lead poisoning, causing severe health risks, including a higher risk of miscarriage and premature delivery. These are very alarming Gunshot Residue Facts that every gun owner should be aware of.
Gun residue is a mixture of chemicals, elements, and compounds that can adhere to the hands, skin, and clothes. Both indoor and outdoor shooting exposes you to lead residue deposited on the surface. Lead residue should be removed as soon as possible for safety purposes. Otherwise, it can be transferred from person-to-person and also through food or water. This post will educate about various aspects of gun residue and how to deal with it.
What Is Gun Residue?
Gun residue is a chemical left behind on your hands after firing a gun. It is typically composed of lead, barium, and antimony. Gun residue can be found in the hands of people who handle firearms or ammunition and can be transferred to other items that are handled afterwards.
The appearance of gun residue depends on the type of weapon used. For example, if you fire a revolver, your hands will have gunpowder residue and the metal particulates associated with bullets and casings. The same goes for rifles, shotguns, and other types of weapons.
A particular Gunshot Residue Fact that you must understand is that a person’s body can absorb some of the metals found in gun residue over time if exposed to it frequently enough. However, most of these metals (except lead) do not pose any significant health risks unless they are ingested through food or water sources contaminated by them.
How To Clean Off Gun Residue From Your Hands?
The best way to clean your hands after firing a gun is with soap and warm water. If you are not near a sink, there are other ways to clean gun residue from your hands.
Use a damp cloth or tissues to wipe your hands. Rinse and dry thoroughly before handling food, utensils, or other items that will come in contact with your mouth.
Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, if available. Alternatively, rub your hands together briskly with a paper towel until they feel dry, then rinse them off under running water. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers contain at least 60 percent ethanol (ethyl alcohol), along with removing gun residue, effectively killing bacteria and viruses on surfaces, including skin surfaces like hands.
If you don’t have access to soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizer but have some rubbing alcohol on hand, rub some onto your hands until they feel dry again and then rinse them off under running water. Rubbing alcohol contains 70 percent ethanol (ethyl alcohol), which is more effective than regular hand sanitizer.
Final Thoughts:
Gun residue can cause many health complications for a shooter. Hence, maintaining good personal hygiene after every shooting session is vital to eliminate these harmful substances from your hands and clothes. Remember that the cleaning process you choose will depend on the type of residue. Different techniques are valid for different situations. Just consult a health expert for more guidance.
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