HOPEDALE - State officials last week inspected the Hopedale Pistol and Rifle Club after tests showed several junior shooters had elevated levels of lead in their blood.

According to Health Agent Lenny Izzo, about one month ago several parents of the club’s junior shooters reported their children had elevated lead levels in their blood after recent doctor visits, prompting physicians to file a report with the state. The state, in turn, sent inspectors to the club last week.

The club, formed in 1947 and located in a brick building at 25 Depot St., has eight shooting positions on a 50-foot indoor target, according to the club’s website. The Junior Shooters club includes youngsters from age 10 to 18.

Last week, the state Department of Labor Standards sent two investigators to test the air quality and swab areas around the club to determine if the high lead levels came from the club, Izzo said.

Art Pennesi, an industrial hygiene consultant with the state Department of Labor Workforce, said he and another investigator were pleased with the club’s ventilation system, which rids the air of lead dust.

However, he said lead dust may have settled onto horizontal surfaces near where the shooting occurs.

According to the state Division of Occupational Safety’s guidelines for the cleaning of indoor firing ranges, "ranges should be cleaned daily or after each use to minimize the buildup of lead."

Penessi added that other potential sources of lead exposure, such as lead paint in the youths' homes or lead in their well water, was ruled out by a parent who was present during the testing last week.

According to Izzo, once a year, club officials "go through the whole place and clean it up," but neither he nor Pennesi pinned the club’s cleaning cycle on the elevated lead levels.

Izzo added, however, that a parent of one of the youths, who has not shot at the club for 30 days, has noticed a slight decline in the levels of lead in the child's blood.

Pennesi said although the results of the air quality and surface testing won’t be available for at least another week, he said his department will probably recommend implementing a cleaning schedule for horizontal surfaces.

He said since the issue is not between and employer and employee, the department cannot force the club to do anything.

Mark Pettit, a parent of a child who was found to have elevated levels of lead, did not want to comment on the situation, saying he may take legal action.

Zachary Comeau can be reached at 508-634-7556 and zcomeau@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @ZComeau_MDN.