title: Chinese talismans as a source of lead exposure.
abstract: We describe a case of lead exposure after prolonged intake of ashes from burnt Chinese talismans. A 41-year-old woman presented with elevated blood lead level during screening for treatable causes of progressive weakness in her four limbs, clinically compatible with motor neuron disease. The source of lead exposure was confirmed to be Chinese talismans obtained from a religious practitioner in China. The patient was instructed to burn the Chinese talismans to ashes, and ingest the ashes dissolved in water, daily for about 1 month. Analysis of the Chinese talismans revealed a lead concentration of 17 342 µg/g (ppm).
authors.affiliation: Hong Kong Poison Information Centre, United Christian Hospital, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Hospital Authority Toxicology Reference Laboratory, Princess Margaret Hospital, Laichikok, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Ching
authors.affiliation: Hong Kong Poison Information Centre, United Christian Hospital, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: F L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pathology, Tuen Mun Hospital, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016472:Motor Neuron Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012068:Religion and Medicine
keywords: Lead poisoning; Religion and medicine