| truth@totell.com 2004-10-05, 7:10 pm |
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"CONCLUSION: One of five Ayurvedic HMPs produced in South Asia and
available in Boston Indian groceries contains potentially harmful
levels of lead, mercury, and/or arsenic. Ayurvedic medicine users may
be at risk for heavy metal toxicity. Stricter regulation of Ayurvedic
herbal product imports is needed."
Heavy metal content of Ayurvedic herbal medicine products
Robert B Saper, MD MPH1, Stephanos N Kales, MD, MPH2, Janet Paquin,
PhD^3, David M Eisenberg, MD^4, Roger B Davis, ScD^5, and Russell S
Phillips, MD^5. (1) Department of Family Medicine, Boston University
School of Medicine, One Boston Medical Center Place, Dowling 5 South,
Boston, MA 02118, 617 414 6276, robert.saper@bmc.org, (2) Occupational
and Environmental Health Center, Cambridge Hospital, 1493 Cambridge
Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, (3) Northeast Regional EPA Laboratory,
Technology Drive, North Chelmsford, MA 01863, (4) Division for
Research and education in Complementary and Integrative Medical
Therapies, Harvard Medical School, 401 Landmark Drive, Suite 22a West,
Boston, MA 02215, (5) Division of General Medicine and Primary Care,
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA
02215
BACKGROUND: Case reports of individuals taking Ayurvedic herbal
medicine products (HMPs) suggest that they may contain lead, mercury,
and/or arsenic. We analyzed the heavy metal content of Ayurvedic HMPs
manufactured in India and Pakistan, available in South Asian grocery
stores in the Boston area, and intended for oral use. METHODS: We
searched online yellow pages, business directories, and newspapers to
identify grocery stores selling products from South Asia which were <
20 miles from Boston City Hall. We visited each store, purchased each
unique Ayurvedic HMP, and recorded labeling information. We analyzed
each HMP for lead, mercury, and arsenic using X-ray fluorescence. For
HMPs containing heavy metals, estimated ranges of daily heavy metal
intake for adults and children were calculated using manufacturers
dosage recommendations and compared to EPA, ATSDR, and/or USP
allowable standards. RESULTS: Seventy HMPs from 30 stores were
identified and purchased. Fourteen of the 70 (20%, 95% C.I. 11%-31%)
contained measurable levels of heavy metals: lead (n=13, median
concentration 40 mcg/g, range 5-37,000), mercury (n=6, median
concentration 20,225 mcg/g, range 28-104,000), and/or arsenic (n=6,
median concentration 430 mcg/g, range 37-8,130). If taken as
recommended, each of these 14 HMPs may result in heavy metal intakes
above published allowable standards. CONCLUSION: One of five Ayurvedic
HMPs produced in South Asia and available in Boston Indian groceries
contains potentially harmful levels of lead, mercury, and/or arsenic.
Ayurvedic medicine users may be at risk for heavy metal toxicity.
Stricter regulation of Ayurvedic herbal product imports is needed.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to:
* Describe the general characteristics of Ayurvedic herbal medicine
products (HMPs) produced in South Asia and available in Boston
area retail stores.
* Define the prevalence of Ayurvedic herbal medicine products in
this sample containing lead, mercury, and arsenic.
* Compare the lead, mercury, and arsenic intake which may occur if
these products are taken as recommended to published allowable
standards.
Keywords: Herbal Medicine, Lead
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or
affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or
services are being discussed in this session.
Global Alternative and Complementary Health Practice Perspectives:
Alternative and Complementary Health Practices Around the World
The 132nd Annual Meeting (November 6-10, 2004) of APHA
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