LEAD-POISONING CAUSED BY CONTAMINATED CORDYCEPS, A CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE - 2 CASE-REPORTS

Two cases of lead poisoning, caused by the Chinese herbal medicine Cor dyceps, were reported to the Department of Health in a laboratory-base d blood lead surveillance program, Such unusual cases of lead poisonin g have not been previously reported, These two patients took Cordyceps herbal medicine for treatment of underlying diseases, Loss of appetit e and anemic signs of lead poisoning were manifested in one patient wi th a blood lead level of 130 mu g/dl, while the other patient was asym ptomatic with a blood lead level of 46 mu g/dl. The lead content in th e Cordyceps powder was found to be as high as 20 000 ppm. After cessat ion of intake in the asymptomatic patient, and cessation of intake and treatment with chelating agents in the symptomatic patient, the blood lead levels returned to normal range, This report raises concerns abo ut lead poisoning from unusual herbal medicine worldwide.