Turmeric means “yellow” in Bengali: Lead chromate pigments added to turmeric threaten public health across Bangladesh

Forsyth, Jenna E.; Nurunnahar, Syeda; Islam, Samia; Baker, Musa; Yeasmin, Dalia; Islam, Md. Saiful; Rahman, Mahbubur; Fendorf, Scott; Ardoin, Nicole M.; Winch, Peter J.; Luby, Stephen P.

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2019.108722

Cited by 64 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Lead-adulterated spices seem most pronounced in the Adjara region in the western part of the country, where the MICS study found that 85% of children had BLLs exceeding 5 µg/dL [1]. These results contribute to a growing body of evidence that points to adulterated spices as a significant source of human lead exposure [22][23][24]. Lead is likely added to Georgian spices to enhance color.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

“…al. (2019), for instance, identified the use of lead chromate (PbCrO 4 ) as a yellow pigment [22]. Given the minimal increase in weight at the concentrations identified it would seem unlikely that the addition of lead is for this purpose, as has been indicated elsewhere [25].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Lead is likely added to Georgian spices to enhance color. In their investigation of Bangladeshi turmeric, Forsyth, et. al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Elevated Levels of Lead (Pb) Identified in Georgian Spices

Ericson

Gabelaia

Keith

et al. 2020

Annals of Global Health

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Background and Objectives The Georgian National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) completed a Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) from September to December 2018 that included a nationally representative assessment of 1,578 children's blood lead levels (BLLs). The study found that 41% of children (age 2-7 years) had BLLs equal to or exceeding the U.S. Centers for Disease Control's reference level of 5 µg/ dL and that16% of the 1,578 children had BLLs exceeding 10 µg/dL [1-3]. Low-level lead exposure can result in a number of adverse health outcomes in the neurological and cardiovascular systems [4-6]. To investigate potential sources of lead exposure present in the homes of assessed children a team comprised of staff from the NCDC and the nongovernmental organization Pure Earth (NY, USA) conducted site visits to 25 Georgian homes and four bazaars in July 2019 assessing a range of media for lead content including soil, dust, paint, water, spices, toys, and cookware. Methods Sixteen of the 25 homes were selected on the basis of having a child with a BLL > 30 µg/dL, while nine were selected on the basis of having a child with a BLL < 5 µg/dL. The mean BLL in the < 5 µg/dL group was 2.81 µg/dL (range: 1.6-4.01) while the mean BLL in the > 30 µg/dL group was 35.43 µg/dL (range: 32.29-38.57). The mean age for children in the comparison group was 4.2 years (range: 2.7-5.7), while that for the elevated group was 5.1 years (range: 4.1-6.1). The sex of the children was not recorded. The homes were located in the following five regions: Adjara (n = 9); Guria (n = 5); Imereti (n = 7); Shida Kartli (n = 3); and Tbilisi (n = 1). Spices were procured in bulk and assessed from bazaars in Adjara (n = 2), Imereti (n = 1), and Tbilisi (n = 1). Bazaar assessments were not initially contemplated in the study design and were only conducted after spices were found to be adulterated with lead during home assessments. The bazaars were selected based on logistical convenience. As a result, no bazaars were assessed in Guria or Shida Karti. The study relied heavily on field-portable instrumentation confirmed in part by laboratory wet techniques. In total, 682 portable X-Ray Fluorescence (pXRF) measurements were taken, including those from cookware (n = 53); paint (n = 207); soil (91); spices (n = 128); toys (n = 78); and ' other' (n = 125) a category comprised of a

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Elevated Levels of Lead (Pb) Identified in Georgian Spices

Ericson

Gabelaia

Keith

et al. 2020

Annals of Global Health

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“…In a detailed report, the Orange County Register-Excelsior from California pointed at powdered chili pepper as the main source of lead without a clear cause of how it contains lead -if it is by biologic uptake or somehow added in its production process [7]. Nonetheless other candy and food items not containing chili such as chocolates or turmeric have shown high lead levels (> 0.1 ppm) [12,13]. In our previous study, one of the non-chili candies, a "Tutsi-pop lollipop" had a lead concentrations of 0.1 ppm (see Table 1).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lead Concentrations in Mexican Candy: A Follow-Up Report

Tamayo‐Ortiz¹,

Sanders

Rosa

et al. 2020

Annals of Global Health

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Background: Lead is a neurotoxic metal potentially affecting the developing brain. Children are particularly susceptible since they can absorb between 50% and 100% of ingested lead. There is no safe level for lead, therefore preventing exposure is crucial. We previously reported a positive association between lead concentrations found in candy and concurrent blood lead levels in Mexican children. This first report garnered media and the general public's attention. Objective: To conduct a follow-up study to assess lead concentrations in candy brands that we previously reported with concentrations ≥0.1ppm the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's recommended maximum lead level in candy likely to be consumed frequently by small children. Methods: In 2018 we analyzed 50 additional candy samples. Lead concentrations were analyzed by an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer and lead content per candy unit was calculated. Findings: We found concentrations were typically low, with a marked decrease from prior levels (2008). Nevertheless two candy units had concentrations of 0.1 ppm of lead. Conclusions: Candy may have lead concentrations up to 0.1 ppm and 1.2 µg per unit. This is a concern because candies are exported and consumed in many countries worldwide potentially resulting in human exposure. Continued public health surveillance is needed to protect populations especially vulnerable to lead exposure, especially children.

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“…Turmeric lead and chromium concentrations were highest in Dhaka and Munshiganj districts. Analyzing soil samples and gathering interviews with farmers and spice makers, researchers have found lead levels in turmeric that exceed national limits by up to 500-fold [28][29][30]. "Unlike other metals, there is no safe consumption limit for lead, it's a neurotoxin in its totality," said the papers' senior author Stephen Luby, professor of medicine and the director of research for Stanford's Center for Innovation in Global Health.…”

Section: The "Turmeric Turmoil"mentioning

confidence: 99%

Health Hazards with Adulterated Spices: Save the “Onion Tears”

Mohiuddin¹

2019

IRJPH

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Review Article IRJPH (2019) 3:38 Health Hazards with Adulterated Spices: Save the "Onion Tears" Spices are among the top five most commonly adulterated food types because they are expensive commodities that are processed prior to sale, used most frequently and consumed by mass population. There is a strong incentive to pollute. In Bangladesh, different types of grounded spices powders are available like onion, ginger, coriander, chilli, turmeric, cumin, etc. These powdered spices are commercially processed and packaged by some leading food industries, while some local non-branded industries also exist. Nowadays, people are busy with their carriers, the demand of branded spices powder is increasing gradually. Generally, most of the people tend to buy loose spices from the local grocery store if branded and packaged spices are not available. This increases the risk of consuming adulterated spices. Unlike this particular adulterant which is not unhealthy (but illegal), most of the adulterants are unhealthy and can cause serious and fatal damage to our system if consumed regularly. The escalating market of this product implies that in Bangladesh this tradition is increasingly attaining momentum. Spices are consumed in various forms such as whole spices, ground spices, oleoresins, extracts etc. Spices play an important role in enhancing the flavor and taste of processed foods. They are also used in medicine because of their carminative stimulating and digestive properties. Ground spices maybe adulterated with artificial colors, starch, chalk powder, etc. to increase their weight and enhance appearance. High value ground spices are frequently adulterated for economic gains. Adulteration is difficult to identify by visual and sensory inputs alone. Although there are few renowned food industries, peoples are always suspicious about these products. But there are still not enough investigations for the quality check of all these branded powdered products.

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Turmeric means “yellow” in Bengali: Lead chromate pigments added to turmeric threaten public health across Bangladesh

Cited by 64 publications

References 29 publications

Elevated Levels of Lead (Pb) Identified in Georgian Spices

Elevated Levels of Lead (Pb) Identified in Georgian Spices

Lead Concentrations in Mexican Candy: A Follow-Up Report

Health Hazards with Adulterated Spices: Save the “Onion Tears”

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