Over time, lead and lead fragments from ammunition starts to build up in the soil in and around firing ranges. The lead-infected soil poses a danger to the environment and to humans. There is very little doubt that lead is a significant health threat to humans. Exposure to the heavy metal causes serious neurological problems, nausea, fatigue, organ damage, mental impairment and even death. Children are often the most at risk for adverse health effects from lead exposure due to their developing brains and neurological systems.
The world health organization states that lead exposure is responsible for up to 143,000 deaths, and 600,000 new cases of children developing intellectual disabilities each year. Lead exposure can cause serious illness and disability, and can lead to severe law suits. One example of this is Jose and Guillermina Sierra, who paid 350,000 dollars each to take care of the lead problems in their housing units, but failed to alert their tenants that there were lead issues. Land owners who do not regularly test their land for possible hazards can also be held accountable by the law under your individual state law. Employers who find lead in their work space are required to disclose this information to their employees as well, under the OSHA (Occupational Safety Health Administration)
Approximately 40 million Americans enjoy frequenting shooting ranges. In 2010, NBC News reported that a 20 children and teens tested positive for lead poisoning after spending time at a Vancouver, Washington firing range. Studies conducted by the State of Alaska Epidemiology revealed that exposure to lead is the largest cause of lead poisoning in children aged 6 to 17.
Owners of gun ranges are not only required to protect their customers from lead exposure but also their employees. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) can inspect and levy fines against the firing range if it is determined that workers at the firing range have experienced lead exposure. Any time a gun range employee is found to have an elevated blood-lead level of 25 micrograms or higher, then OHSU will investigate the gun range and soil for lead contamination. If lead contamination is found, then OHSU may issue fines to the firing range.
Environmental soil remediation is the professional cleanup of lead from soil. The process renders the area safe for adults and children. The lead-laced at the firing range is sifted for lead and treated with a patented process known as ECOBOND® which removes the lead from the soil. The clean, lead-free soil is then replaced. Please contact us today to learn about our patented ECOBOND® process.
While lead contamination is common, as lead is naturally found in the earth’s crust, it can be a scary and stressful thing to have to deal with. But it does not have to be. If you find yourself dealing with lead contamination, through Environmental Soil Remediation, you can maintain the safety of your gun range through professional testing, control, and removal with MT2.
Since 2006, MT2 has worked successfully reducing lead hazards at the NYPD training range, and has serviced over 1,000 ranges nationwide since 2000. For a good quality check and thorough maintenance, MT2 has the experience, time, and dedication to put towards a focus in the right way to remove lead from soil.
MT2 is concerned deeply with the environment. We monitor groundwater conditions using patented ECOBOND® lead treatment so that you can rest easy knowing your soil is up to standard and be used. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about MT2 Environmental Soil Remediation, contact us today.
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