Lead is found in bullets as well as the explosive that ignites gunpowder. When a bullet is fired, it gets so hot that that lead actually vaporizes. Firing range employees breathe in the lead fumes, as well as ingest lead dust that settles on their body and clothes.

Are all bullets made of lead?

Most pistol bullets are made of a lead-antimony alloy encased in a soft brass or copper-plated soft steel jacket. In rifle and machine-gun bullets, a soft core of lead is encased in a harder jacket of steel or cupronickel. Armour-piercing bullets have a hardened-steel inner core.

Is lead still used in ammunition?

But many hunters still use lead shot in shotgun shells they use while hunting upland birds — ruffed grouse and woodcock — or snowshoe hares. And lead bullets are still commonly used by deer, moose and bear hunters. ... “I'm using lead right now because I have so many [lead bullets],” Ostrander said.