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Chronic Lead Intoxication From Eating Wild-Harvested Game.
Eric J Buenz1, Gareth J Parry1
1Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, Nelson, New Zealand.
The American Journal of Medicine
|December 17, 2017
Summary
Switching to non-lead ammunition significantly lowers blood lead levels in individuals consuming game harvested with lead bullets. This dietary change reduces lead exposure from hunting practices.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- Lead ammunition is widely used by hunters in the United States, posing a potential risk of lead contamination in consumed game meat.
- Despite evidence of risk, lead ammunition bans have faced challenges, and some organizations dispute the dangers of consuming game harvested with lead bullets.
Observation:
- A case study tracked a patient's blood lead levels after converting from consuming game harvested with lead ammunition to non-lead ammunition.
- A controlled experiment quantified daily lead intake from lead-shot game meat consumed by the patient.
Findings:
- While consuming lead-shot game, the patient had a daily lead intake of 259.3 ± 235.6 µg and a blood lead level of 74.7 µg/dL.
- Conversion to non-lead ammunition was directly associated with a reduction in the patient's blood lead levels.
Implications:
- Eating game harvested with lead ammunition can lead to unsafe blood lead levels.
- Healthcare providers should inform patients who hunt about the risks of lead exposure from ammunition and recommend non-lead alternatives.
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