Missouriwatcher
Editor, Senior Moderator
...This report describes a case of lead poisoning in a child aged 1 year that was investigated by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's (NYC DOHMH) Lead Poisoning Prevention Program in 2009. The likely source of exposure was an amulet made in Cambodia with leaded beads that was worn by the child. Health-care providers and public health workers should consider traditional customs when seeking sources of lead exposure in Southeast Asian populations. Health-care providers should ask parents about their use of amulets, especially those in Southeast Asian families and those with children found to have elevated blood lead levels (BLLs). Educational efforts are needed to inform Southeast Asian immigrants that amulets can be a source of lead poisoning.
...In New York City, Asian children also have been noted to be at risk for lead poisoning.
...Children with immigrant backgrounds might be at increased risk through exposure to lead-containing products from their family's country of origin. In New York City in 2007, among children with BLLs ≥15 ?g/dL, 38% of foreign-born children did not have a lead paint hazard in the home compared with 21% of U.S.-born children (p<0.05). Nonpaint lead risk factors include recent travel to a foreign country and use of imported products such as spices, food, candy, cosmetics, health remedies, ceramics or pottery, and jewelry...
Within 8 days of the amulet being removed from the home, the child's BLL had decreased from 20 ?g/dL to 14 ?g/dL...statements that the child had been observed mouthing it, and the rapid decrease in the child's BLL after its removal.
The toddler's cousin, aged 6 years, who was living in the same home, had lead poisoning diagnosed in September 2008...He also had worn a Cambodian amulet, and 3 months after he stopped wearing his amulet...The toddler's sister, aged 10 years...also wore an amulet, she presumably was old enough not to mouth it.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6003a2.htm?s_cid=mm6003a2_e&source=govdelivery
...In New York City, Asian children also have been noted to be at risk for lead poisoning.
...Children with immigrant backgrounds might be at increased risk through exposure to lead-containing products from their family's country of origin. In New York City in 2007, among children with BLLs ≥15 ?g/dL, 38% of foreign-born children did not have a lead paint hazard in the home compared with 21% of U.S.-born children (p<0.05). Nonpaint lead risk factors include recent travel to a foreign country and use of imported products such as spices, food, candy, cosmetics, health remedies, ceramics or pottery, and jewelry...
Within 8 days of the amulet being removed from the home, the child's BLL had decreased from 20 ?g/dL to 14 ?g/dL...statements that the child had been observed mouthing it, and the rapid decrease in the child's BLL after its removal.
The toddler's cousin, aged 6 years, who was living in the same home, had lead poisoning diagnosed in September 2008...He also had worn a Cambodian amulet, and 3 months after he stopped wearing his amulet...The toddler's sister, aged 10 years...also wore an amulet, she presumably was old enough not to mouth it.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6003a2.htm?s_cid=mm6003a2_e&source=govdelivery