Do lead pellets both 177 and 22 manufactured in non-democratic countries such as the former Soviet Union and the Peoples Republic of China contain dangerous levels of hard rdioactivity? It has been speculated that in Communist societies nothing is ever wasted that could otherwise be recycled and sold overseas to make a monetary profit. Nuclear reactors in Eastern Block countries use large amounts of pure lead and graphite as protective shielding in their atomic power generating systems. Over time, lead acts like a sponge and eventually absorbs dangerous levels of radiation making frequent replacement a necessity. It is rumored that these "hot" blocks of lead are then delivered to various state-run arsenals and recast into both bullets and pellets regardless of the potential health hazards to the shooting public. Studies by a prominent Northern California university does indeed show some truth to this urban legend. However, cannisters of contaminated pellets prove exceedingly rare and test results vary from pellet to pellet are vague at best. So the next time you buy a tin of foreign pellets, you could be playing Russian roulette! Believe it or not!

About 30 years ago I acquired about 300 lbs of sheet lead
from a remodeled x ray room.
Used it for casting fishing sinkers.
Now I understand why I glow at night LOL

Seriously though I do wonder what melting that lead released.
I seem to have some strange health issues now.

I buy pellets that come from The Czech Republic all the time. It makes me wonder whats in them after reading your post.

No need to worry about the lead from a X Ray operation. Lead blocks the rays emitted during the process and does not absorb anything. The radioactive source used in the machine is shielded and only the source could contaminate someone.
Melting lead down is a different story. You can get lead posioning from the vapors and from handling and ingesting it from residue on the hands and fingers. Lead is something that seems harmless but it is not. It can cause medical issues.
I am no expert however, I did work with and around radioactive materials prior to retirement.
Rick in TX

Glad to here x ray lead is safe radioactivity wise.

I think I should get checked for lead content though.
From what I have read the long term symptoms halfway match
what my body has been going thru for several years now.

Better late than never I guess.