Turmeric is the culprit in a global lead poisoning mystery
10 months ago
- #environmental health
- #lead poisoning
- #public health
- An estimated 800 million children globally are poisoned by lead, affecting half of all children in low- and middle-income countries.
- Lead exposure can damage nearly every organ, especially the brain, leading to lower IQ, cognitive decline, and behavioral issues.
- New York City detectives and researchers in Bangladesh discovered lead contamination in turmeric, a common spice in Bangladeshi cuisine.
- Farmers in Bangladesh added lead chromate to turmeric to enhance its color, unaware of the health risks.
- Bangladeshi authorities took swift action, reducing lead levels in turmeric from 47% to 0% and lowering blood lead levels in affected communities.
- Lead contamination is also found in other products like cosmetics, cookware, and improperly recycled lead-acid batteries.
- A new $150 million initiative by UNICEF and USAID aims to combat lead poisoning globally, focusing on eliminating lead from consumer products.