LEAD-POISONING FROM ASIAN TRADITIONAL REMEDIES IN THE WEST MIDLANDS -REPORT OF A SERIES OF 5 CASES

1 Traditional remedies are an unusual, but recognised cause of lead po isoning. Only two cases have previously been reported in this country. 2 We report a series of five cases of lead poisoning due to tradition al remedies in the West Midlands. All developed typical clinical featu res. 3 flood lead and zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) concentrations were el evated 2-10 times the upper limit of normal. The remedies contained up to 60% lead by weight. One also contained traces of mercury, another arsenic, and a third aluminium and tin. 4 Confirmation of the medicine s as the cause of the poisoning was made in one patient by measurement of lead isotopic ratios. 5 The present morbidity fi om traditional re medies may be far greater than is realised, and will continue until su ch time as the supply of harmful preparations can be effectively limit ed. There needs to be increased awareness of their dangers amongst doc tors and the communities at risk. This will best be achieved by approp riately targeted education.