Pediatric Lead Exposure From Imported Indian Spices and Cultural Powders

From http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/peds.2009-1396v1

Cristiane Gurgel Lin, MD, PhDa,b,c, Laurel Anne Schaider, PhDd, Daniel Joseph Brabander, PhDe, Alan David Woolf, MD, MPHb,f

aPediatric Residency Program, Department of Medicine, and
fPediatric Environmental Health Center, Division of General Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, Massachusetts;
bDepartment of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts;
cDepartment of Neonatology, Pediatrix Medical Group, Seton Medical Center, Austin, Texas;
dDepartment of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; and
eDepartment of Geosciences, Wellesley College, Wellesley, Massachusetts

Background Significant lead poisoning has been associated with imported nonpaint products.

Objectives To describe cases of pediatric lead intoxication from imported Indian spices and cultural powders, determine lead concentrations in these products, and predict effects of ingestion on pediatric blood lead levels (BLLs).

Patients and Methods Cases and case-study information were obtained from patients followed by the Pediatric Environmental Health Center (Children's Hospital Boston). Imported spices (n = 86) and cultural powders (n = 71) were analyzed for lead by using x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The simple bioaccessibility extraction test was used to estimate oral bioavailability. The integrated exposure uptake biokinetic model for lead in children was used to predict population-wide geometric mean BLLs and the probability of elevated BLLs (>10 µg/dL).

Results Four cases of pediatric lead poisoning from Indian spices or cultural powders are described. Twenty-two of 86 spices and foodstuff products contained >1 µg/g lead (for these 22 samples, mean: 2.6 µg/g [95% confidence interval: 1.9–3.3]; maximum: 7.6 µg/g). Forty-six of 71 cultural products contained >1 µg/g lead (for 43 of these samples, mean: 8.0 µg/g [95% confidence interval: 5.2–10.8]; maximum: 41.4 µg/g). Three sindoor products contained >47% lead. With a fixed ingestion of 5 µg/day and 50% bioavailability, predicted geometric mean BLLs for children aged 0 to 4 years increased from 3.2 to 4.1 µg/dL, and predicted prevalence of children with a BLL of >10 µg/dL increased more than threefold (0.8%–2.8%).

Conclusions Chronic exposure to spices and cultural powders may cause elevated BLLs. A majority of cultural products contained >1 µg/g lead, and some sindoor contained extremely high bioaccessible lead levels. Clinicians should routinely screen for exposure to these products.



Key Words: pediatric lead poisoning • childhood plumbism • spices • herbal products • cosmetics • religious powders • lead contamination • Indian • sindoor • culture-specific exposure


Abbreviations: CI = confidence interval

More Fines For UCLA

An additional $97,000 in fines for lax laboratory safety practices has been assessed against the University of California, Los Angeles, by a state agency.

The school's department of chemistry and biochemistry has been under scrutiny since a Dec. 29, 2008, laboratory fire led to the death of chemistry researcher Sheharbano (Sheri) Sangji (C&EN, Aug. 3, 2009, page 29). The California Division of Occupational Safety & Health (Cal/OSHA) investigated the incident and fined the university $31,875 in May 2009 (C&EN, May 11, 2009, page 7). (More...)

LEGIONELLOSIS, NOSOCOMIAL - USA: (WISCONSIN)

A ProMED-mail Date: Sat 13 Mar 2010 Source: WISN.com

Health officials said there could be a possible outbreak of the respiratory illness Legionnaires' disease at a Cudahy hospital. Sof ar, at least 8 people have come down with the illness. Of the 8 cases, 6 had some contact with Aurora Saint Luke's South ShoreHospital, 5900 S. Lake Drive.(More)

Medical practice needlesticks

Here's an interesting article from the New York Times on the safety culture around needle injuries in the medical profession, complete with time and peer pressure issues that are present with other safety concerns.

Link: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/03/a-silent-epidemic-of-needle-injuries/

Asbestos at U.S. university investigated

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/03/02/Asbestos-at-US-university-investigated/UPI-35051267577232/
Published: March. 2, 2010 at 7:47 PM

HARTFORD, Conn., March 2 (UPI) -- University of Connecticut authorities may have violated federal law when workers disposed of asbestos-laden material during a renovation, officials say.

Employees renovating the office of President Michael Hogan threw old flooring held together with asbestos-containing mastic out the office window, The Hartford (Conn.) Courant reported Tuesday.

School officials allegedly acknowledge they violated OSHA and federal Environmental Protection Agency standards for removal of asbestos, the newspaper said.

One of the violations alleges no inspection was completed to see if there was asbestos under the floor before it was removed.

Others include the unsafe disposal of asbestos particles into the air, asbestos-laden debris tossed out without being properly bagged and asbestos disturbance occurring without any employee monitoring, the Courant said.

In December six employees of the university's facilities management department were given emergency medical screening the results of which are confidential.

"The safety and well-being of university personnel is a paramount concern. As a result of the university's own investigation, its office of Environmental Health and Safety is working with facilities personnel to ensure compliance with all rules and regulations regarding asbestos," spokesman Michael Kirk said.

Biodiesel Process Uses Catalytically Active Particles

Feb 23, 2010
Sachtleben, a unit of Rockwood Holdings Inc. and a producer of specialty titanium dioxide and functional additives, has developed catalytically active particles that may revolutionize the production of biofuels using sustainable and environmentally friendly means. (More...)