[Environmental lead poisoning from lead-glazed earthenware used for storing drinks].
BACKGROUND
Current unusual environmental sources of lead exposure mainly include traditional medicines, either ayurvedic remedies or others, traditional cosmetics (kohl, surma), and the use of traditional earthenware, for storage or cooking.


METHODS
We report two cases of lead poisoning in adults initially identified by paroxysmal abdominal pain or anemia. In both cases, the environmental investigation evidenced one main source of lead exposure, namely a lead-glazed earthenware jug in which a drink was stored, "kefir" in the first case, and "kombucha" tea in the second one.


CONCLUSIONS
It is recommended to search for lead intoxication in patients with unexplained anemia. Environmental sources of lead can be multiple. Their relative importance has to be ranked during the environmental investigation and among these, lead-glazed earthenware must be considered as a source of high lead exposure when drinks are stored inside and thus can soak.
Sabouraud
S
S
Centre antipoison et de toxicovigilance de Lyon, 162, avenue Lacassagne, 69424 Lyon cedex 03, France. sabine.sabouraud@chu-lyon.fr
Coppéré
B
B
Rousseau
C
C
Testud
F
F
Pulce
C
C
Tholly
F
F
Blanc
M
M
Culoma
F
F
Facchin
A
A
Ninet
J
J
Chambon
P
P
Medina
B
B
Descotes
J
J
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000139:chemically induced; D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D001628:Beverages; D002516:Ceramics / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry*; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003297:Cooking and Eating Utensils; D043302:Cultured Milk Products; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013662:Tea; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002614:Chelating Agents; D013662:Tea; D004492:Edetic Acid