Each year a wonderful family near and dear to my heart celebrates Thanksgiving with extended family by hosting a feast of venison, duck and pheasant. All of which were "acquired" by the host. The big celebration includes family members of all ages. Small children abound. The last thing anyone thinks about is the risk to the children of lead poisoning from the shot in the birds. Clearly not an issue; when the birds were cleaned all the lead shot was removed.
According to a study published in 2010 there remains some risk to the children. (Here is a link to the study.) In that study a number of game birds were first x-rayed to determine the number of lead shot they contained. The birds were then dressed and cooked and the shot removed. The meat of the birds was retested for lead concentration. To the surprise of many the meat in some birds contained very high levels of lead. That was despite there being no visible pellets, nor anything on x-ray. The theory is that there are micro-lead pieces left behind along the path of the pellets.
Lead poisoning from this source is of little or no risk to adults. But is it a risk to small children? Maybe, but probably not. One time lead exposures are rarely a problem. But for those children already at risk (living in an old house with lead paint, living near an industrial area where lead is used, etc.) this adds just one more insult.
What advice to give this wonderful family? Eat away and save some leftovers for me!
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