Lead in venison has been one of the hottest and most controversial topics among hunters, the firearms industry and, unfortunately, anti-hunters this past year.

A new study by the United States Center for Disease Control might be just the key to getting some sound answers to this debate.

Last fall, a North Dakota dermatologist sounded an alarming announcement that the venison being donated to food pantries contained lead residue from the very ammunition used to harvest the deer. His announcement unfortunately caused a hasty reaction which resulted in the removal of thousands of pounds of protein rich deer meat from the shelves of food banks across the Midwest.

In response, the North Dakota Department of Health and the CDC began a research project to test the possibility of lead being ingested in venison and other wild game. Blood samples and extensive research were collected for more than 730 study participants, who were tested for lead levels. The studies were then weighted to account for the presence of other environmental sources of lead (air pollution, paint, etc.).

Of the 730 participants, 598 of the participants reported consuming at least one type of wild game (venison, other game, birds), and 517 reported consuming multiple types. Among those who consumed wild game, almost all reported consuming venison (98.8 percent).

The CDC study revealed “that people who ate venison killed with lead ammunition do show a generally higher blood/lead level than people who did not eat any.”

Notice, the CDC said generally higher. The actual results were only 0.003 higher than those who had not eaten venison, which is a relatively insignificant amount in adults.

What does this all mean? Let’s take a deeper look into the study. Of all the blood samples taken for analysis, the geometric mean or average of lead found in their system was only 1.17μg/dl (micrograms per deciliter of blood).

To put this in perspective, the average participant’s lead level in this study was lower than the average of the overall population for the entire United States, which is 1.6 μg/dl. I’m fairly confident, the majority of our population is not eating venison, which obviously means the whole lead scare has been blown out of proportion.

What’s even more reassuring is that only 1.1 percent of study participants had levels above 5 ul/dl, and not a single one reached levels above 10, which is the point where CDC officials become concerned.

Now before you start celebrating, keep in mind that participants who consumed wild game did have levels of lead that were fractionally higher in comparison with those who did not consume wild game, so we’re not quite perfect.

The study also showed that lead levels increased slightly as the participants age increased with those more than 65 showing the highest levels. The CDC contributed this in part to leads ability to be stored in bones.

What we do know is adults are not at risk of keeling over anytime soon simply by eating venison. Take into consideration the average American in the 1970s went about their daily lives with lead levels of around 13 ul/dl, which is more than 10 times the average of study participants.

While the research showed promising information, it certainly seems worthwhile to follow guidelines issued by the Missouri Department of Conservation when processing your venison to limit exposure to lead particles. If having it professionally processed, make sure you’re dealing with a reputable meat processor.

For those who want to completely eliminate even these minimal concerns about lead contamination, consider using one of the many alternatives to lead bullets such as copper and other non-toxic rounds like those made by many ammunition manufacturers.

For those who have young children (under the age of 6) or are pregnant, the risk from lead is very different and real. It is well accepted among scientists and medical professionals that there is no safe exposure level for children less than six or for a developing child in its mother’s womb. Those under these circumstances would be advised to avoid any exposure to lead whatsoever.

With this preliminary study out of the way, concerns about consuming lead particles from venison seem to be more appropriate for small children and those who are pregnant. For now, the CDC study seems to have affirmed that lead does not pose any significant health risks to adults when properly prepared venison is eaten.