Lead poisoning caused by Indian ethnic remedies in Italy.
BACKGROUND
Complementary or alternative medicine has become widespread in Western Countries and since the remedies are "natural" they are believed to be free of toxic effects and health risks. Ethnic remedies may contain lead, other metals and toxic substances.


OBJECTIVE
To show how lead poisoning as a result of using ethnic remedies may be severe enough to cause serious damage to health, and to increase awareness among family doctors and occupational physicians of the risks associated with ethnic remedies.


RESULTS
Description of ethnic remedy-related lead poisoning in 2 native Italian adults, with clinical, laboratory and toxicological data.


CONCLUSIONS
When metal poisoning is diagnosed, ethnic remedies should be included among the putative sources so as to avoid erroneous attribution to workplace exposure and application of unneeded preventive measures.
Institute of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, University of Perugia, Italy. medlav@unipg.it
G
G
Muzi
M
M
Dell'Omo
N
N
Murgia
Anna
A
Curina
Simona
S
Ciabatta
G
G
Abbritti
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D001168:Arthritis / Q000188:drug therapy; D001416:Back Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D003248:Constipation / Q000139:chemically induced; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007558:Italy; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged
D000700:Analgesics; D019216:Metals, Heavy