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   LEAD EXPOSURE

 

The most common way in which lead enters the body is either through inhalation or ingestion

of lead dust. Often times  lead dust is invisible to the naked eye. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), lead in the body is distributed to the brain, liver, kidney and bones. It is stored in the teeth and bones, where it accumulates over time. Human exposure is usually assessed through the measurement of lead in the blood. There is no known level of lead

exposure that is considered safe.

 

Squibs are miniature explosive devices used in special

effects. They can produce either mechanical force or 

provide pyrotechnic effects for film and live theater.

 

Airborne lead particles from the bullet hits/squibs are

usually created by combustion of one of the following:

 

  • Lead Azide - CAS Number 13424-46-9 (aka lead diazide, lead (II) azide, diazidolead (II) )

  • Lead Styphnate - CAS number 15245-44-0 (aka 1,3-Benzenediol, 2,4,6-trinitro-, lead salt)

  • Explanation & FAQ about the CAS system

 

Common ways to ingest lead dust are eating food or drinking beverages when lead dust has settled on facial hair or lead dust is on hands and/or under fingernails.

 

 

 

Bullet Hits Special Effects: The Lead Is Flying!

                                        

 

Chemist and industrial hygienist, Monona Rossol worked seven years as a research chemist for the University of Wisconsin and a year with an industrial research laboratory. She is currently President/founder of Arts, Crafts and Theater Safety, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to providing health and safety services to the arts. She also is the Health and Safety Director for Local 829 of the United Scenic Artists, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).

 

Ms. Rossol wrote an article titled, BULLET HIT SPECIAL EFFECTS: THE LEAD IS FLYING! She states, “Recently I have become interested in the bullet hit effects (sometimes called squibs*) which are used on actors that appear to be shot, and in walls and objects to simulate a bullet hitting these surfaces. These bullet hit devices can release tiny particles (< 10 microns) of lead fume right into the actor’s breathing zone. Or bullet hits can be activated in walls or objects on the set which expose cast and crew to lead fume and to casing fragments contaminated with lead.

 

She further states, ” If the bullet hits are on or very near an individual, the entire charges are release in or near the individual’s breathing zone. One single-grain bullet hit releasing 28.6 mg in one meter of air (28.6 mg/m3) is 572 times the PEL (permissible exposure limit – as outlined by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration - OSHA).”

 

Read the full article here:

 

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