(no subject)
Just because I can't imagine myself marrying and having kids with a woman who doesn't shoot...
http://www.theppsc.org/Staff_Views/Czarnecki/pregnant_officer.htm
Noise toxicity
Noise usually is considered to be detrimental during pregnancy. In most European countries, health regulations forbid pregnant women from working in surroundings with a continuous noise level greater than 80 dB or a rapid-impulse noise level greater than 40 dB, which is much less than the noise of a firearm [6]. In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration permissible exposure limit for rapid-impulse noise is 140 dB, with additional regulations for continuous noise. The sound levels of firearms are about 125 to 140 dB for rimfire rifles; 140 to 150 dB for rimfire pistols; and 150 to 160 dB for centerfire rifles, pistols, and shotguns [7].
Intrauterine measurements showed that the fetus was not significantly protected against loud noises [8]. One study in human volunteers found a maximal intrauterine noise attenuation of 10 dB at 4000 Hz [9]. In a study of ewes, the noise attenuation was 20 dB at 4000 Hz, but the noise inside the uterus was 2 to 5 dB greater at 250 Hz [10]. In comparison, foam plugs offer attenuation of 12 to 20 dB and are considered to be the least effective hearing protection [7].
Noise exposure during pregnancy has been associated with several disorders, including miscarriage [11,12], intrauterine growth retardation [13,14,16], preterm delivery [12,15,16], hearing loss in babies and children [17], altered immune response in the fetus [18], and hypertension [12]. A combined exposure to noise and lead seems to have an increased toxicity, causing heart lesions, which are not observed for those agents alone [19].
Recommendations
The available scientific knowledge does not provide evidence that firearm use is safe during pregnancy. Data also show that noise and lead are significantly toxic during pregnancy.
Pregnant officers should not shoot firearms, unless in self-defense, and should avoid shooting ranges. Officers who are breastfeeding should only shoot lead-free ammunition. Pregnant women should not clean their guns because of possible exposure to chemicals. The guns should be cleaned by other people and away from the pregnant woman.
Law enforcement agencies should not require pregnant officers to train and qualify with live ammunition and should inform them about the health hazards involved with firearms training. Alternative solutions to live-fire qualification should be developed. One alternative is the use of a simulation shooting system, which employs lasers and CO2 or compressed air to create recoil. These systems are available commercially. Progressive law enforcement agencies already possess these simulators to train officers in the judgmental aspects of the use of deadly force.
If a pregnant officer chooses to attend a firearms training session, the author recommends the following steps to reduce the health hazards to the fetus:
http://www.theppsc.org/Staff_Views/Czarnecki/pregnant_officer.htm
Noise toxicity
Noise usually is considered to be detrimental during pregnancy. In most European countries, health regulations forbid pregnant women from working in surroundings with a continuous noise level greater than 80 dB or a rapid-impulse noise level greater than 40 dB, which is much less than the noise of a firearm [6]. In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration permissible exposure limit for rapid-impulse noise is 140 dB, with additional regulations for continuous noise. The sound levels of firearms are about 125 to 140 dB for rimfire rifles; 140 to 150 dB for rimfire pistols; and 150 to 160 dB for centerfire rifles, pistols, and shotguns [7].
Intrauterine measurements showed that the fetus was not significantly protected against loud noises [8]. One study in human volunteers found a maximal intrauterine noise attenuation of 10 dB at 4000 Hz [9]. In a study of ewes, the noise attenuation was 20 dB at 4000 Hz, but the noise inside the uterus was 2 to 5 dB greater at 250 Hz [10]. In comparison, foam plugs offer attenuation of 12 to 20 dB and are considered to be the least effective hearing protection [7].
Noise exposure during pregnancy has been associated with several disorders, including miscarriage [11,12], intrauterine growth retardation [13,14,16], preterm delivery [12,15,16], hearing loss in babies and children [17], altered immune response in the fetus [18], and hypertension [12]. A combined exposure to noise and lead seems to have an increased toxicity, causing heart lesions, which are not observed for those agents alone [19].
Recommendations
The available scientific knowledge does not provide evidence that firearm use is safe during pregnancy. Data also show that noise and lead are significantly toxic during pregnancy.
Pregnant officers should not shoot firearms, unless in self-defense, and should avoid shooting ranges. Officers who are breastfeeding should only shoot lead-free ammunition. Pregnant women should not clean their guns because of possible exposure to chemicals. The guns should be cleaned by other people and away from the pregnant woman.
Law enforcement agencies should not require pregnant officers to train and qualify with live ammunition and should inform them about the health hazards involved with firearms training. Alternative solutions to live-fire qualification should be developed. One alternative is the use of a simulation shooting system, which employs lasers and CO2 or compressed air to create recoil. These systems are available commercially. Progressive law enforcement agencies already possess these simulators to train officers in the judgmental aspects of the use of deadly force.
If a pregnant officer chooses to attend a firearms training session, the author recommends the following steps to reduce the health hazards to the fetus:
Use lead-free ammunition (with lead-free primers)
Shoot outdoors (to reduce exposure to noise and chemicals)
Shoot the smallest possible number of rounds
Wear a respirator with a high-efficiency particulate air filter
Wash hands and face carefully after a shooting session
Avoid drinking and eating within 1 hour after shooting session
Use a silencer
Wear heavy clothing that covers the abdomen
Avoid picking up spent brass
Avoid cleaning firearms