| Abstract |
- Childhood lead poisoning is one of the most common preventable pediatric health
problems in the United States. Fetuses, neonates, and young children are particularly sensitive to
adverse health effects associated with lead exposure due to children's hand to mouth activities,
their greater ability to absorb lead, and their vulnerable developing nervous systems. Lead
poisoning can result in decreased intelligence, impaired neurobehavioral development, stunted
physical growth, hearing and kidney problems, juvenile delinquency, and a propensity to commit
criminal acts.
Well-documented past sources of lead exposures in children are from leaded paint, leaded
gasoline, lead-contaminated soils and dust, leaded soldered cans and water pipes, and leadglazed
pottery. Certain Mexican folk remedies such as Alarcon, Azarcon, Coral, and Greta
have also been shown to contain dangerous levels of lead (Greta, for example, is composed of
approximately 99% lead oxide). Recently, several studies have shown that a number of brands of
candies from Mexico contain unsafe levels of lead.
This study was initiated to assess whether lead-tainted imported candies are available in
Mexican markets (tiendas) in Oregon. Hood River, Marion, Benton, and Multnomah counties
were selected in this study based on the percent of the population that is Hispanic and their
proximity to Oregon State University (OSU). This study was funded by the College of Health
and Human Sciences at OSU with additional support from Benton and Multnomah County
Health Departments. Imported Mexican candies were collected and sent to a certified laboratory (accredited by
the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and the Environmental Laboratory
Accreditation Program (ELLAP) in association with EPA National Lead Laboratory
Accreditation Program (NLLAP)) for lead analysis. A limited number of candy wrappers and
candy sticks were also tested for lead. Results show that 45% of the candies tested had detectable levels of lead and of those 87.5% exceed the new U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) guideline of 0.1 ppm. Results also show that samples with detectable lead levels vary by
county (28-82%). In addition, between 19% and 75% of the candies had excessive lead content
by main ingredient in the candy (e.g., tamarind, chili, salt). When total micrograms of lead in a
serving of candy is calculated (for samples with detectable lead), between 33 to 86% exceed
FDA' s Provisional Total Tolerable Intake of Lead (PTTTL) of 6 tg lead per day by 10 to 41
times. Moreover, 50% of one brand tested had detectable lead content. This brand also had 100%
of its wrappers and 94% of its sticks with excessive lead content. Statistical tests did not show a
relationship between lead content of candies and ingredients. Statistical tests did not show a
relationship between lead content of candies and lead content of wrappers for one brand tested.
However, a negatively correlated relationship was found between lead in the candies and lead in
the sticks for one brand tested. Use of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Integrated
Exposure/Uptake Biokinetic Model (IEUBK) showed increases in mean Blood Lead Levels
(BLL) for all age groups with two age groups exceeding the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) definition of an elevated childhood BLL (? 10 jig/dL). Results of this
study will be shared with key federal and state health and regulatory agencies for appropriate
follow-up action.
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