Public health risks from heavy metals and metalloids present in traditional Chinese medicines
Author(s)
Cooper, Kelli
Noller, Barry
Connell, Des
Yu, Jimmy
Sadler, Ross
Olszowy, Henry
Golding, Gary
Tinggi, Ujang
Moore, Michael R
Myers, Stephen
Year published
2007
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Out of 247 traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) investigated, a proportion were contaminated with arsenic (5-15%), lead (~5%), and mercury (~65%). Some preparations exceeded the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for males and females for arsenic (4 and 5 products, respectively), lead (1 and 2 products), and mercury (5 and 7 products). These exceedances were as high as 2760-fold, which posed a potential danger to public health. As many users are known to self-prescribe, there is a substantial risk of poisoning from the consumption of these contaminated TCM.Out of 247 traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) investigated, a proportion were contaminated with arsenic (5-15%), lead (~5%), and mercury (~65%). Some preparations exceeded the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for males and females for arsenic (4 and 5 products, respectively), lead (1 and 2 products), and mercury (5 and 7 products). These exceedances were as high as 2760-fold, which posed a potential danger to public health. As many users are known to self-prescribe, there is a substantial risk of poisoning from the consumption of these contaminated TCM.
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Journal Title
Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part A
Volume
70
Publisher URI
Copyright Statement
© 2007 Taylor & Francis. Please refer to the journal's website for access to the definitive, published version.
Subject
Chemical sciences
Environmental sciences
Biomedical and clinical sciences