Summary: Usually, when a person is stricken with a non-fatal gunshot wound, the bullet is left alone. But recently in a new study, it was found that bullets left in the body can lead to lead poisoning. Such fragments can cause a high of 306 micrograms of lead per deciliter, 301 micrograms higher than the normal level. Not many people have been found to have lead poisoning from bullet fragments, but not many people have been tested for it, and based on the amount of people with non-fatal gunshot wounds, there are many people out there with potential poisoning. Although lead has been phased out of household items, it proves to be a good anti-corrosive useful for painting ships, bridges, and making bullets.
Analysis: This is a very interesting and important study that will no doubt change many lives. Many people don't get screened for lead poisoning unless their job is high-risk. But knowing the amount of people wounded by non-fatal gunshots, hopefully more people with bullet fragments inside of their bodies will get themselves checked out. This finding will only further the reach of science just as the first finding of lead poisoning did and will hopefully get us closer to find preventions for lead poisoning.
It's crazy that we didn't know of this before. There are many people who like to keep their bullets impaled in their bodies as a sign of strength or a memento.
ReplyDeleteWOW I'm kinda surprised that doctors could even consider leaving fragments of a bullet in your body.
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