North Dakotans needed for lead study

By KIM FUNDINGSLAND, Staff Writer kfundingsland@minotdailynews.com
BISMARCK – North Dakotans are being asked to participate in a study that has drawn the attention of the nation and the assistance of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


Earlier this year Dr. William Cornatzer, Bismarck, contacted the North Dakota Department of Health and expressed concerns about lead fragments found in ground venison that had been distributed to food pantries. X-rays showed the presence of metal in 53 of 95 packages examined by Cornatzer. The sample study led to the discarding of venison from pantry storehouses.


Dr. Stephen Pickard, epidemiologist with the N.D. Department of Health, said his department contacted the Centers for Disease Control and asked for help in determining if a significant health risk exists.


“The earlier sample told us there was lead in meat but we need that data established and quantified,” said Pickard. “What we don’t know is whether or not that it is absorbed by the average person. Unless it raises the amount of lead in the blood of the consumer, it’s not a concern.”


To determine if a significant problem exists, the CDC and the Department of Health are seeking participants for a study designed to measure the risk of consuming venison harvested with lead bullets. The study will compare the lead levels of people who eat venison with those who don’t. A total of 680 people of all ages are needed for the study. Pickard emphasizes that participants are needed whether or not they are consumers of wild game.


“It gets complicated because there are many other sources of lead in the environment, such as various hobbies and industries,” said Pickard.


One example cited by Pickard was of a person who reclaims batteries. That worker is already in a higher risk category for an elevated level of lead in the blood and may even be carrying lead dust into his home and exposing others. Fishermen use lead weights and lead jigheads. SCUBA divers use lead weights around their waists. Curtains and drapes are held in place by lead weights. Upland game hunters often use lead shot for hunting.


“There will need to be some separation of the study,” said Pickard when asked about other sources of lead. “Of course, there’s no longer lead shot used for waterfowl, but in land birds there can be lead. Certainly there is a need to make a distinction.”


North Dakota was the first state to contact the CDC about bullet fragments found in venison. Wisconsin and Iowa quickly followed as news of the food pantry venison ban became known. Vital information has already been gathered. In Iowa, where shotgun slugs are used for deer hunting and not high-powered rifles, initial studies failed to find any substantial lead fragments in venison. Although shotgun slugs generally contain substantially more lead than a rifle bullet, they travel at a slower speed, which results in less break-up upon impact.


“Part of the reason for bullet fragments is today’s high-powered rifles,” said Pickard. “We know the tissue around a high-velocity bullet track is bound to have more lead. What we are looking at in this study is to compare the blood levels between people who don’t eat venison and those that eat a little or a lot. We really need North Dakotans to come out and respond to the study.”


According to the Department of Health, there is no safe level of lead in blood. Any amount higher than 10 micrograms per deciliter is considered elevated, but levels less than that can still result in health problems.


“One of the problems in recognizing lead poisoning is the nature of it. It can take a long time and remain hidden in terms of symptoms,” said Pickard. “In adults it might just be high blood pressure. Children are more affected but you wouldn’t know necessarily.”


The statewide study will begin May 16. Researchers from the CDC and the Department of Health will conduct a short interview with each participant and then draw blood to test for lead levels. The testing is free of charge and each person tested will receive their results. Enough results should be known by the fall hunting season to determine whether or not the risk of lead poisoning to those consuming venison is cause for concern.


People willing to participate in the study are requested to show up at one of several health centers in the state. No appointment is necessary. In Minot, people are asked to report to the First District Health Unit at 801 11th Ave. SW on May 27-May 30. More information on the study can be found at (www.ndhealth.gov).