J Korean Med Sci.  2017 Oct;32(10):1713-1716. 10.3346/jkms.2017.32.10.1713.

Lead Poisoning at an Indoor Firing Range

• Kang KW
• Park WJ

• KMID: 2400447
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2017.32.10.1713

Abstract

In March 2014, a 39-year-old Korean male presented with a 6-month history of various nonspecific symptoms including dizziness, fatigue, asthenia, irritability, elevated blood pressure, palpitation, eyestrain, and tinnitus. His occupational history revealed that he had been working as an indoor firing range manager for 13 months; therefore, he was subjected to a blood lead level (BLL) test. The test results showed a BLL of 64 µg/dL; hence, he was diagnosed with lead poisoning and immediately withdrawn from work. As evident from the workplace environmental monitoring, the level of lead exposure in the air exceeded its limit (0.015-0.387 mg/m³). He received chelation treatment with calcium-disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (1 g/day) for 5 days without any adverse effects. In the follow-up results after 2 months, the BLL had decreased to 9.7 µg/dL and the symptoms resolved. This report represents the first occupational case of lead poisoning in firing ranges in Korea, and this necessitates institutional management to prevent the recurrence of poisoning through this route. Workplace environmental monitoring should be implemented for indoor firing ranges, and the workers should undergo regularly scheduled special health examinations. In clinical practice, it is essential to question the patient about his occupational history.

Keyword

Firearms; Heavy Metal Poisoning; Korea; Lead Poisoning; Military Personnel

MeSH Terms

Adult
Asthenia
Asthenopia
Blood Pressure
Dizziness
Edetic Acid
Environmental Monitoring
Fatigue
Firearms
Fires*
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Korea
Lead Poisoning*
Male
Military Personnel
Poisoning
Recurrence
Tinnitus
Edetic Acid