title: Spices as a source of lead exposure: a market-basket survey in Sri Lanka.
abstract: We performed a laboratory analysis of spices sold in Sri Lanka for lead content. Samples of curry powder, chili powder and turmeric powder from seven provinces, collected using the market basket survey method, underwent atomic absorption spectrometry. Blanks and standards were utilised for instrument calibration and measurement accuracy. The results were validated in two different laboratories. All samples were found to have lead levels below the US Food and Drug Administration's action level of 0.5 μg/g. Spices sold in Sri Lanka contain lead concentrations that are low and within the stipulated safety standards.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. Sri Lanka. manouri.senanayake@gmail.com.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Senanayake
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Perera
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Liyanaarachchi
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Dassanayake
mesh_terms: D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis*; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D017365:Spices / Q000032:analysis* / Q000592:standards; D013188:Sri Lanka
chemical_list: D007854:Lead