The North Dakota Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are seeking participants for a study to measure blood lead levels associated with consuming wild game.

The study will measure the risk of eating wild game harvested with lead bullets. It comes on the heels of findings that venison donated to food pantries in North Dakota and Minnesota contained tiny lead fragments. Food pantries were advised to throw their remaining meat out as a precaution. It is not yet known if venison can contain enough lead to do harm.

Officials are asking for volunteers to visit testing sites across North Dakota beginning May 16. No appointment is needed. Participants will be interviewed for about 10 minutes before having their blood drawn. Individual results will be mailed to participants. People who have not eaten wild game are also encouraged to participate. The study will compare blood lead levels from those who eat wild game to those who do not.

"This study is an important opportunity to help us understand whether swallowing lead bullet fragments causes increased levels of lead in the blood," said State Health Officer Terry Dwelle, M.D. "We're hopeful that the study will give us information on which we can base any future recommendations."

When animals are shot, small lead fragments from the bullets are dispersed into the meat. When the meat is eaten some of the lead is absorbed into the body. The study will determine if the amount of lead consumed from venison can be dangerous. High blood lead levels could cause high blood pressure and kidney problems in adults. Infants and pre-school children could suffer permanent brain damage from a high blood lead level. A blood lead level higher than 10 micrograms per deciliter is considered elevated but levels below 10 can still cause health problems according to the Department of Health.

"Some hunters have questions about the lead in venison issue," said Terry Steinwand, director of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. "I encourage hunters and their families to participate in this study so that we can have more answers for them about the potential effects of consuming wild game harvested with lead bullets."

The Department of Health is hopeful that preliminary results will be available by fall hunting season.

Testing in the area will be conducted at First District Health Unit in Minot May 27-30. Hours are 8 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. Testing will also be conducted at Southwestern District Health Unit in Dickinson May 27 and May 29-30. Hours are 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. The testing will end once 680 participants are tested.