Evaluation of Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems in Organizations

Evaluation of hazards associated with Conductive Electrical Weapons (CEWs) (aka tasers) has focused on the physiological effects of electrical shock and not heavy metal exposure. Gun ranges have long been recognized as sources of lead exposure. When evaluating heavy metal exposure on firing ranges, often components of firearms like lead primers or lead ammunition are identified as the primary sources of lead. This paper serves to identify another potential heavy metal hazard at training centers which are employed by law enforcement or military. Novel Taser cartridges can carry similar components of firearm propellants, including lead primer. Many tasers are not considered firearms by class because they use compressed nitrogen gas as the propellant, but this paper aims to create a call to action to study Novel Tasers. Novel Tasers are considered firearms because they use gun powder to propel projectiles and fall under the definition of “firearm” due to the explosive nature of the gunpowder (A.T.F., 2017). Industrial hygiene sampling was performed to test if taser cartridges created a lead hazard to cadets and/or trainers during law enforcement academy certifications. The trainers fired close to 90 rounds to simulate training day where around 100 rounds are fired throughout the day. Lead surface samples were taken from various objects within the training center. The highest level of lead was found on a trainer’s keyboard at 47.0 µg/ft2. The other detectable levels of lead were found on the grappling mats in the room where the Novel Taser was fired with three samples having 28.9 µg/ft2, 7.0 ug/ft2 and 1.9 µg/ft2. This study reveals the presence of lead deposition on surfaces due to Novel Taser use and conclude that further research is indicated.