Bullet fragments linked to lead poisoning, CDC study says

[livingston]

Bullet fragments linked to lead poisoning, CDC study says
In the United States, routine screening for lead poisoning in adults is focused on jobs in which exposure to lead is likely.
Yet bullet fragments that remain lodged in the body can be an important cause of lead poisoning, according to a government report published online Thursday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that, overall, fewer than 1% of cases of adults with elevated blood lead levels were caused by retained bullet fragments. However, for those with the highest blood lead levels, nearly 5% of cases could be linked to bullets.
"There are no safe levels of lead in the human body," said Debora Weiss, lead author of the report and an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer at the CDC. She added that exposure to lead can have both short- and long-term effects, ranging from a small change in organ function to symptomatic life-threatening toxicity.
An estimated 115,000 firearm injuries happen every year in the United States, and the majority -- 70% -- are not fatal, "meaning that the bullet is possibly retained," Weiss said.

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Examining nationwide data
No one knows exactly how many people might have elevated blood lead levels due to retained bullet fragments. Weiss and her colleagues analyzed data reported to the CDC's Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance program, which requires blood lead level test results to be reported to state health departments.
Bullet fragments and blood lead poisoning linked, CDC says - CNN.com

 

[Defilade]

Sounds like a "Win-Win"

 

[Phauxtoe]

If you get shot and die of real lead poisoning, those are all bonus days!

 

[DoD1776]

Just like the Lead Balls did back in the era with good ole abe

 

[Podmonkey]

Sounds like someone trying to build a case to ban lead ammo to me. They'd better hurry and find a way to make this "polymer matrix" ammo cheap and effective!

 

[Deplorable Me]

It's CNN doing a report on the findings of a government functionary. Here's an executive summary, it's the criminals stupid. Do the demographics and you'll get to the root of the problem. But no, we'll all become victims of political correctness and take it like good boys, girls and transgenders.

 

[4excal]

Well I always thought that it was common knowledge .. Lead is lead

 

[camper4lyfe]

Just like the Lead Balls did back in the era with good ole abe

That was usually due more to infections and gangrene.

 

[BerettaGuy]

bullet fragments that remain lodged in the body can be an important cause of lead poisoning..
Wow! Who knew.
Let me face plant my shocked face.

 

[ProgSpear]

Criminals cause more lead poisoning than any other source. We should outlaw criminals.

 

[Robin]

Kryptonite linked to premature death of Superman. details at eleven.
Robin Jorel

 

[Greywolf224]

"However, for those with the highest blood lead levels, nearly 5% of cases could be linked to bullets." which comes to ~4025 people.
I need to know, how many of the 4025 people were felons which would not count.

 

[Catskillkid]

Sounds like someone trying to build a case to ban lead ammo to me. They'd better hurry and find a way to make this "polymer matrix" ammo cheap and effective!

I'm thinking you're right on the money here with this assessment. Basically the same reasoning that California used to ban lead ammunition while hunting...that the endangered California Condor eats the gut piles (that often had lead bullet fragments in them) which caused them to get sick and die.

So with that logic in mind, all the poor folks in Chi-raq who get shot in the buttocks (and elsewhere) because of gang turf war (whoops...I mean "gun violence") are all being slowly poisoned.