Top 5 Takeaways

1. High Blood Lead Levels in Children: Two children, aged 2 years and 9 months, were found to have elevated blood lead levels (48 μg/dL and 11 μg/dL, respectively) during routine check-ups.
2. Source of Lead Exposure: Lead contamination was traced to turmeric and rice seasoning spices purchased from a local market, with lead levels confirmed at 2,000 mg/kg and 0.6 mg/kg, respectively.
3. Additional Family Members Affected: Further testing revealed elevated blood lead levels in additional family members, including a father with 49 μg/dL and a 2-year-old sibling with 13 μg/dL.
4. Decline in Blood Lead Levels: Following chelation therapy and discontinuation of contaminated spices, blood lead levels in the affected children significantly decreased over several months.
5. Public Health Implications: The case underscores the importance of multidisciplinary approaches and communication between healthcare providers and public health officials to identify and mitigate diverse lead exposure pathways.

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Matthew Kappel, kappel@snhd.org

Suggested Citation

Kappel M, Kraushaar V, Mehretu A, Slater W, Marquez E. Notes from the Field: Childhood Lead Poisoning Associated with Turmeric Spices — Las Vegas, 2019. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:1584–1585. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7045a4

Summary

In March 2019, two children in Las Vegas were found to have elevated blood lead levels. Investigations revealed that the source of lead exposure was turmeric and rice seasoning spices purchased from a local market. Further testing identified additional family members with elevated blood lead levels. Following chelation therapy and discontinuation of the contaminated spices, blood lead levels in the affected children significantly decreased. This case highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and communication between healthcare providers and public health officials to identify and mitigate diverse lead exposure pathways.

Methods

The Southern Nevada Health District conducted a lead-risk assessment using X-ray fluorescence analyzers to test painted and nonpainted surfaces in the homes of the affected children. Samples of spices were sent to an environmental laboratory for atomic absorption spectroscopy analysis to confirm lead levels. Additional family members were screened for elevated blood lead levels.

Discussion

This case emphasizes the need for awareness of non-traditional sources of lead exposure, such as contaminated spices. The findings support other reports of lead-contaminated turmeric in the United States and highlight the importance of timely lead-risk assessments and multidisciplinary collaboration in managing lead poisoning cases. The case also underscores the necessity for healthcare facilities to be prepared to respond to lead poisoning and for public health officials to ensure sources of lead exposure are identified and controlled before initiating chelation therapy.

Conclusion

The main takeaways from this case are the identification of turmeric as a source of lead exposure, the importance of multidisciplinary approaches in managing lead poisoning, and the need for timely lead-risk assessments. Public health officials and healthcare providers must work together to prevent lead exposure and ensure effective treatment for affected individuals.

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