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A cluster of lead poisoning among consumers of Ayurvedic medicine
- Source :
- International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health. 21:303-307
- Publication Year :
- 2015
- Publisher :
- Informa UK Limited, 2015.
-
Abstract
- Background:Use of alternative medications and herbal remedies is widespread in the United States and across the globe. These traditional medications can be contaminated with toxic metals. Despite several case reports of poisoning from such contamination, the epidemiological data are still limited.Objectives:To report on a cluster of lead and mercury toxicity cases in 2011 among a community of adherents of traditional medical practice of Ayurveda.Methods:Adherents of Ayurveda were offered heavy metals screening following the identification of the index case.Results:Forty-six of 115 participants (40%) had elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) of 10 μg/dl or above, with 9.6% of BLLs at or above 50 μg/dl.Conclusions:This is the largest cluster of lead and mercury toxicity following use of Ayurvedic supplements described in the literature in the US. Contamination of herbal products is a public health issue of global significance. There are few regulations addressing contamination of “natural” products or supplements.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Male
medicine.medical_specialty
Ayurvedic medicine
Alternative medicine
Elevated blood
Lead poisoning
Environmental health
Epidemiology
medicine
Humans
Aged
Traditional medicine
business.industry
Public health
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Medical practice
Heavy metals
Mercury
Middle Aged
medicine.disease
Iowa
Medicine, Ayurvedic
Lead Poisoning
Original Research Paper
Lead
Mercury Poisoning
Female
Plant Preparations
business
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 20493967 and 10773525
- Volume :
- 21
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....5e3afcdfc935b7a049abc590d5c30cc5