Spices may have high lead contents
Spices may have high lead contents. Researchers at Children's Hospital in Boston and the Harvard School of Public Health has shown that 25% of the food store items, including spices such as cardamom, fenugreek and chilli powder, contained more than 1 microgram of lead per gram of product. About 65% of the ceremonial powders, including sindoor, contained the same amount.
- (1888PressRelease) June 07, 2011 - Repeated exposure to lead can cause cognitive brain damage and behavioral changes in children. About two-thirds cases occur when young children lick or ingest lead-containing paint as it peels or chips off the walls.
Spices may have high lead contents. Researchers at Children's Hospital in Boston and the Harvard School of Public Health visited 15 Indian specialty stores in Boston and analyzed 71 cultural powders and 86 spices and food products. About 25% of the food items, including spices such as cardamom, fenugreek and chilli powder, contained more than 1 microgram of lead per gram of product. About 65% of the ceremonial powders, including sindoor, contained the same amount, said Padma Shri and Dr B C Roy National Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India.
Gasoline is another source. Leaded gasoline is still commonly used in many countries in cars and lead from car exhaust can seep into the ground, saturating the soil in which food plants, including those that are dried and ground into spices are grown. Such environmental exposure is the most likely source of lead in these products.
Exposure to lead can also occur in many work settings, such as manufacturing or use of batteries, pigments, solder, ammunitions, paint, car radiators, cable and wires, some cosmetics, ceramic ware with lead glazes, and tin cans.
An additional source of lead exposure has been identified as lead dust deposited on radiographs stored in lead-lined boxes said Dr Nikhil Kapoor, Sr Radiologist, Moolchand Medcity.
In some parts of the world, illegally distilled alcohol ("moonshine") is an important source of lead exposure.
Lead poisoning has occurred in those taking adulterated Ayurvedic 'bhasma' medications and in those cooking or eating off lead-glazed tableware and cookware. It has been shown that women use herbal supplements have blood lead levels 10 percent higher than non-users, said Dr Anita Kant, Chief Gynecologist, Asian Institute of Medical Sciences. Blood lead levels were about 20 percent higher for those women reporting use of adulterated Ayurvedic and/or traditional Chinese medicine herbs, as well as St. John's Wort, compared to non-users.
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