title: Lead intoxication epidemic caused by ingestion of contaminated ground paprika.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Report of a lead intoxication epidemic caused by ingestion of contaminated ground paprika.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study of case histories.
  
  
  METHODS
  Institutional, toxicological and medical referral center for ambulatory and hospitalized care.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred forty-one adults consumed paprika contaminated with lead tetroxide (red lead).
  
  
  METHODS
  Intravenous calcium disodium versenate (edetic acid).
  
  
  METHODS
  Measurement of zinc protoporphyrin:heme ratio of whole blood and the blood lead level. EDTA mobilization test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-three patients had symptoms and signs of lead poisoning. The most common clinical signs were colic and/or anemia. Twenty-six persons showed increased lead absorption without clinical symptoms and signs. Chelation therapy with calcium disodium versenate resulted in complete clinical recovery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lead-contaminated ground paprika, not previously described as a cause of alimentary lead intoxication, may cause symptomatic poisoning.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Occupational Health, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kákosy
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hudák
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Náray
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000931:Antidotes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002212:Capsicum / Q000506:poisoning*; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005506:Food Contamination; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007854:Lead / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000097:blood; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000931:Antidotes; D002614:Chelating Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D011524:Protoporphyrins; C017803:zinc protoporphyrin; D007854:Lead; D004492:Edetic Acid; C028356:lead tetroxide