Abstract:This article identifies four culturally shaped sources of lead exposure in human societies: modern and historic technological sources; food habits; culturally defined health beliefs; and beauty practices. Examples of these potential sources of lead poisoning are presented from current cultures. They include the use of lead-glazed cooking pottery in Mexican-American households; folk medical use of lead in Hispanic, Arabic, South Asian, Chinese, and Hmong communities; as well as the use of lead as a cosmetic in … Show more
“…Efforts to reduce these exposures have tended to focus on health protection measures, such as legislative and regulatory requirements to reduce the exposure levels of lead in the environ ment. However, anthropological studies that focus on the culturally related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that may be sources of lead poisoning are also important (56).…”
Section: Culture and Variation In Risk Factor Exposuresmentioning
“…Efforts to reduce these exposures have tended to focus on health protection measures, such as legislative and regulatory requirements to reduce the exposure levels of lead in the environ ment. However, anthropological studies that focus on the culturally related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that may be sources of lead poisoning are also important (56).…”
Section: Culture and Variation In Risk Factor Exposuresmentioning
“…Popular books for home practitioners of Santeria (8,9) include spells that use mercury, but do not comment on the risks it poses. Medical anthropologists have documented the use of potentially toxic remedies in folk medicine, but have not focused on the health implications of toxic substances used in religious rituals and spells (10,11).…”
“…The tonic was labeled as curing conditions such as bronchitis, diarrhea, rickets, croup, and convulsions. Lead compounds are sometimes applied to neonate umbilical cords as a part of the birthing ritual in Asia (Trotter, 1990).…”
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