Sources of Blood Lead Exposure in Rural Bangladesh

Abstract

Lead (Pb) exposure is a major public health problem worldwide. Although high levels of Pb in blood in Bangladesh have been documented, the dominant Pb sources contributing to human exposure in rural Bangladesh have not been determined. Here, we first obtained blood from pregnant women from three rural Bangladeshi districts who were previously assessed by a case-control and sampling study, and we then conducted semistructured in-depth interviews to understand Pb exposure behavior and finally collected samples of the suspected Pb sources. We measured the Pb isotopic composition of both potential Pb sources and 45 blood samples in order to understand which of three sources predominate: (1) food from Pb-soldered cans, (2) turmeric, or (3) geophagous materials (clay, soil, or ash). The Pb isotope ratios of the three sources are distinct ( p = 0.0001) and blood isotope ratios are most similar to turmeric. Elevated lead and chromium (Cr) concentrations in turmeric and a yellow pigment used in turmeric processing are consistent with reported consumption behavior that indicated turmeric as a primary contributor to blood Pb. The Pb isotopic composition analyses combined with a case-control and sampling approach provides evidence that turmeric adulterated with the yellow Pb-bearing pigment is the main Pb exposure source in these districts and illustrates the need to assess drivers and practices of turmeric adulteration, as well as the prevalence of adulteration across South Asia.

The Untargeted Capability of NMR Recognizes Adulterated Natural Products

“…24,[61][62][63][64][65] The detection of lead chromate is challenging: it escapes routine testing methods due to its poor solubility in organic solvents and water, thus requiring targeted methods such as ICP-MS or flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. 20,66 The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India also proposed an ashing/sulfuric acid-diphenylcarbazide test as a rapid screening for the lead but required confirmation by quantitative assays to confirm the level of contamination. 67 Admixture of starches to powdered turmeric is readily detected microscopic powder examination using iodine stain or a xylene mount with full polarization.…”

Alleviating Poverty by Empowering Women Through Business Model Innovation: Manufacturing & Service Operations Management Insights and Opportunities

“…The lead chromate intensifies the yellow color (and hence perceived quality) of the turmeric. Isotopic analysis matches lead in the blood of Bangladeshi women to that lead chromate (Forsythe et al 2019). Lead chromate adulteration is visible by inspection of turmeric root, far more easily than in the powdered spice.…”

Exploration of Attendance, Active Participation, and Behavior Change in a Group-Based Responsive Stimulation, Maternal and Child Health, and Nutrition Intervention

“… 1 An estimated 22% of children are born with low birth weight, 2 and 155 million children younger than 5 years were affected by stunting in 2016, most living in Asia and Africa. 3 Many of these children grow up in environments heavily contaminated with fecal pathogens, exposed to environmental lead, 4 , 5 and experience limited parent–child interaction and stimulation activities, which may result in poor cognitive development and impairment in intellectual function. 6 …”