Beroepsblootstelling aan metalen in Belgische politieschietstanden

Samenvatting

Introduction:
Shooting ranges are used for occupational and recreational trainings in many countries. The last decades, dozens of studies in shooting ranges have been conducted to analyze lead exposure because of its presence in ammunition and its potential harmful effects. Nowadays, however, lead exposure has been reduced by measurements such as better ventilation systems, jacketed ammunition and lead-free primers. Nevertheless, the question arises if this does not cause other metals than lead to be found in a higher concentration in ammunition, perhaps resulting in adverse health effects. Indeed, several other metals such as copper, antimony, zinc and arsenic can be found in ammunition. Studies assessing metal air sampling in shooting ranges do not show any metal level surpassing the Occupational Exposure Limits (OEL) and are thus reassuring. In spite of that, the particle size of some metals released by firing, seems to be in the nano-range1,2. Therefore respiratory and systemic effects due to penetration deep into the lungs cannot be excluded. This study investigates the uptake of metal particles originating from ammunition by means of biomonitoring of 27 metals.
Methods:
Cross-sectional study in which urine and blood samples from 25 subjects involved in different shooting ranges were analyzed for metals by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectometry (ICP-MS)3. These 25 subjects represented the continuous exposed group which consisted of 15 members from the Special Forces, 6 maintenance staff members and 4 shooting instructors. Li, Be, Al, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As total, Se, Mo, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Te, Ba, Pt, Tl, Pb, Bi and U were investigated in urine and Mn, Co, Pd, Cd, Hg, Tl, Pb and U in blood.
Moreover, comparison of blood and urine metal levels in 10 police officers before and after training sessions were performed. The group of 10 police officers before shooting was regarded as control group. Dust collection was realized as well, by means of placement of petri dishes4 in 6 shooting ranges and 2 control locations.
Results:
From the 27 investigated metals, especially Sb, Pt and Pb showed differences worth mentioning. The mean values for Sb in urine were 0,35; 0,19 and 0,32 μg/L for Special Forces, maintenance staff and shooting instructors respectively, which is considerably higher than the mean of police officers before shooting (0,039 μg/L). Concerning Pt, the Special Forces showed higher mean urinary concentrations (0,076 μg/L) than the police officers (0,039 μg/L). Mean values for bloodlead were remarkably higher in the Special Forces (3,91 μg/dL), maintenance staff (5,71 μg/dL) and instructors (11,74μg/dL) compared to police officers (1,41 μg/dL). One shooting instructor presented a bloodlead value of 38,78 μg/dL, and thus exceeded the Biological Exposure Index5 of 30 μg/dL.
Comparison between before and after shooting, only demonstrated an increment for lead in blood (p = 0,037), although very minimal (from a mean of 1,14 μg/dL to 1,47μg/dL).
Collection of dust by means of petri dishes did not turn out to be ideal to measure dust in shooting ranges, since differences in amounts of collected dust were important. Nevertheless,
Beroepsblootstelling aan metalen in Belgische politieschietstanden Masterproef
2de Master Arbeidsgeneeskunde, aj 2014-2015 Eline Vandebroek
4
Cu, Sb, Sn and Pb, metals that can be present in ammunition, were found in higher concentrations in shooting ranges compared to control locations.
Conclusion:
Whereas both Pb and Sb were found to be higher in shooting range employees and frequent shooters and both metals can cause adverse health effects, it remains advisable to provide appropriate protective equipment, education and medical follow-up for shooting range personnel in addition to careful choice of ammunition.

Datum prijs	jun. 2015
Originele taal	Dutch