Actually both blood lead levels (BLL) and bone biopsies are used. We use BLLs on our instructors, especially in indoor ranges. One of the main reasons for using BLLs is that there is more than one route of exposure to lead. We have found air monitoring can show below the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and still have instructors with high BLLs. One of the main routes is ingestion of lead dust from surface contact and then eating and or smoking. One area of lead exposure no talked about is from handling spent brass. Almost all primers contain lead styphnate. I posted a slide on the Image Gallery of lead wipe samples of a recruit pre and post sorting spent brass for recycling. Hand washing helps a ton, but gloves are better.
JB, if you want the slide deck of our study, I can email it.
Alpinecrick
I think your correct in both the effects on raptors and what may happen to lead bullets out West.
