Long-term indoor gunshot exposure of special police forces induces bronchitic reactions and elevated blood lead levels-The Berlin shooting range study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Gunshot emissions contain toxic elements that can harm those frequently exposed, such as police officers. Several years ago, police indoor firing ranges were closed by the Berlin municipality in response to police officer health complaints, and an investigation was launched into the possible respiratory health risks of frequent gunshot emission exposure. We, therefore, conducted an exploratory cross-sectional study to investigate clinical and functional parameters of respiratory health as well as the burden of trace elements in policemen with long-term high exposure to indoor gunshot emissions, compared to low-exposure and control groups.

Methods

We conducted lung function tests and collected blood and urine samples from Berlin police officers and government emplo

SUBMITTER: Witt C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9891938 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature