Air Force Institute of Technology AFIT Scholar Theses and Dissertations Student Graduate Works 3-2006 Comparative Analysis of Airborne Chemical Exposure to Air Force Small Arms Range Instructors Eric J. Cameron Follow this and additional works at: https://scholar.afit.edu/etd Part of the Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health Commons Recommended Citation Cameron, Eric J., "Comparative Analysis of Airborne Chemical Exposure to Air Force Small Arms Range Instructors" (2006). Theses and Dissertations. 3306. https://scholar.afit.edu/etd/3306 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Graduate Works at AFIT Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of AFIT Scholar. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Vit COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF AIRBORNE CHEMICAL EXPOSURE TO AIR FORCE SMALL ARMS RANGE INSTRUCTORS THESIS Eric J. Cameron, Captain, USAF, BSC AFIT/GES/ENV/06M-01 DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE AIR UNIVERSITY AIR FORCE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE; DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED The views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the United States Air Force, Department of Defense, or the United States Government. AFIT/GES/ENV/06M-01 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF AIRBORNE CHEMICAL EXPOSURE TO AIR FORCE SMALL ARMS RANGE INSTRUCTORS THESIS Presented to the Faculty Department of Systems and Engineering Management Graduate School of Engineering and Management Air Force Institute of Technology Air University Air Education and Training Command In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and Science Eric J. Cameron, Capt, USAF, BSC March 2006 APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE; DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED. AFIT/GES/ENV/06M-01 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF AIRBORNE CHEMICAL EXPOSURE TO AIR FORCE SMALL ARMS RANGE INSTRUCTORS Eric J. Cameron Capt, USAF, BSC Approved: ____________________________________ Ellen C. England, Lt Col, USAF (Chairman) Date ____________________________________ Charles A. Bleckmann (Member) Date ____________________________________ Sonia E. Leach, Maj, USAF (Member) Date AFIT/GES/ENV/06M-01 Abstract Significant concentrations of lead can be generated at indoor and outdoor firing ranges during firing operations using conventional leaded ammunition. In an effort to eliminate the potential risk of lead exposure, the Air Force is transitioning to a lead-free alternative to the leaded bullet. This study examines airborne chemical exposure to Air Force small arms range instructors during M16 firing of lead and lead-free bullets. Historical range information collected from 63 active duty Air Force bases identified that two thirds of the Air Force military ranges within the Continental United States are currently firing lead-free ammunition. Over 420 air sampling results were compiled and statistically analyzed to determine the average representative airborne exposures during firing of leaded ammunition at indoor and outdoor firing ranges. Highest average 8-hr TWA exposures for lead were 17% of the Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL). Task exposures, representing worst case conditions, were found to be 1.2 time the OEL. Two indoor and four outdoor firing ranges currently firing frangible lead-free ammunition were evaluated through a collaborative effort with the Air Force Institute for Operational Health (AFIOH) to assess instructor exposure and current range conditions. Transition to lead-free ammunition showed a 70% reduction in lead at indoor ranges and a 41% reduction in lead at outdoor ranges. Airborne exposures generated from metals and combustion by-products associated with nylon and plastics during M16 firing of frangible lead-free ammunition were found to be well below their respective OELs. This research suggests that the exposure levels associated with lead-free ammunition does not pose a significant threat to Air Force instructors at indoor and outdoor ranges. iv Acknowledgments I would like to express my sincere appreciation to my faculty advisor, Lt Col Ellen England, for her guidance and support throughout the course of this thesis effort. Her insight and experience was pinnacle to the success of this research. I would also like to thank my committee members, Dr Charles Bleckmann and Major Sonia Leach for their support during the course of this endeavor. I am also indebted to the Bioenvironmental Engineering and Combat Arms and Maintenance professionals at Hill AFB and McGuire AFB who graciously spent their valuable time and resources providing manning support and supplementary equipment used to evaluate representative chemical airborne exposure at their respective bases. Special thanks goes to Major Garry Wright and Captain Michael Moran, from the Air Force Institute of Operational Health, who served as the liaison during this collaborative effort as well as Mr. Tom Hewitt, from the Command Core Office, who provided technical database support. Eric J. Cameron v Table of Contents Page Abstract ......................................................................................................................iv Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................v Table of Contents ....................................................................................................... vi List of Figures ............................................................................................................. ix List of Tables ...............................................................................................................x I. Introduction ..........................................................................................................1 1.1 Background.....................................................................................................1 1.2 Problem Statement..........................................................................................4 1.3 Research Objectives........................................................................................5 1.4 Research Focus ...............................................................................................5 1.5 Methodology...................................................................................................6 1.6 Scope and Limitations.....................................................................................7 1.7 Implications.....................................................................................................8 1.8 Preview ...........................................................................................................8 II. Literature Review..................................................................................................9 2.1 Mechanism of Operation.................................................................................9 2.2 General Range Configuration .......................................................................11 2.3 Lead...............................................................................................................12 2.3.1 Health Effects of Lead .........................................................……………..13 2.3.2 Blood Lead Levels… ..............................................................................15 2.3.3 Standards and Regulations……...................................…………………..17 2.3.4 Lead Ammunition Studies .........................................................................20 2.3.5 Other Concerns…… ........................................................………………..25 2.4 Alternatives for Reducing Exposure to Airborne Lead .........................…...25 2.4.1 Ventilation and Automated Retrieval Systems..........................................26 2.4.2 Bullet Traps................................................................................................27 2.4.3 Jacketed Bullets .........................................................................................28 2.5 Lead-Free Ammunition.................................................................................28 2.6 Toxicology Information................................................................................36 2.6.1 Metals (Inhalation/Ingestion Exposure) ....................................................36 2.6.2 Nylon By-Products (Inhalation Exposure).................................................38 2.7. Methods........................................................................................................40 2.8 Summary.......................................................................................................41 vi Page III. Methodology.......................................................................................................43 3.1 Historical Data Call.......................................................................................44 3.2 Analytes of Concern ................................................................................….45 3.3 Data Collection .............................................................................................46 3.3.1 Hill AFB.....................................................................................................46 3.3.2 McGuire AFB ............................................................................................51 3.3.3 AFIOH Collaboration ............................................................................…53