People who eat wild game shot by hunters have significantly higher levels of lead circulating in their blood than those who do not, report researchers from the Centers for Disease Control. The higher levels were significant even for people who ate venison and other game just once a month. The lead leaches into the meat from the bullets used and splintered bone that has been hit by the bullet. The study analyzed lead levels in North Dakota people who had eaten wild game, and found that lead was highest in men and older adults. Individuals who ate wild game meat had an average of 1.27 ug/dl blood lead levels as compared to 0.84 ug/dl for non-consumers.