According to a recent study, some samples of turmeric marketed in india, nepal, and pakistan contained high amounts of lead. These values exceed the 1,000 micrograms per gram (µg/g) per dosage legal limit. The Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) of india has set a maximum permissible lead value of 10 µg/g for turmeric.
About 14% of samples had lead amounts higher than 2 µg/g, according to a study that examined turmeric from 23 cities in india, pakistan, Sri Lanka, and nepal and was published in Science of the Total Environment.
By imitating calcium and building up in bones, the metal can disrupt vital body processes, according to Stanford university researchers working with Pure Earth and India's Freedom Employability Academy.
In all, seven cities—Kathmandu, Nepal; Karachi, Islamabad, and Peshawar, Pakistan; patna, Guwahati, and Chennai, India—had turmeric lead levels higher than 10 µg/g.
The highest amount in india was 2,274 µg/g in patna and 127 µg/g in Guwahati. Curiously, the highest amounts of contamination were found in polished turmeric roots, which are frequently used to improve appearance, followed by loose powders.
Lead contents were comparatively lower in packaged and labeled turmeric goods, indicating that loose and unregulated turmeric may be more prone to contamination.
Although it is not against the law, lead poisoning in turmeric can have major negative effects, especially on young people. It has been connected to concerns including children's developmental delays, behavioral disorders, and decreased IQ.
According to earlier research, children who are exposed to high amounts of lead—even at blood levels as low as 3.5 µg/dL—may experience behavioral and cognitive problems.
Over 800 million children are thought to have blood lead levels that are much higher than acceptable limits worldwide.
The researchers concluded that the primary pollutant is probably lead chromate, a yellow pigment commonly found in industrial items like paint.
In addition to adding color to turmeric, the additive contains deadly lead, a technique that has been connected to lead poisoning cases in bangladesh and the US.
According to earlier studies on Bangladesh's turmeric supply chain, lead chromate has been added to inferior turmeric roots for decades in an effort to enhance their look.
The researchers urged more research on the supply networks for turmeric in South Asia.
About 14% of samples had lead amounts higher than 2 µg/g, according to a study that examined turmeric from 23 cities in india, pakistan, Sri Lanka, and nepal and was published in Science of the Total Environment.
By imitating calcium and building up in bones, the metal can disrupt vital body processes, according to Stanford university researchers working with Pure Earth and India's Freedom Employability Academy.
In all, seven cities—Kathmandu, Nepal; Karachi, Islamabad, and Peshawar, Pakistan; patna, Guwahati, and Chennai, India—had turmeric lead levels higher than 10 µg/g.
The highest amount in india was 2,274 µg/g in patna and 127 µg/g in Guwahati. Curiously, the highest amounts of contamination were found in polished turmeric roots, which are frequently used to improve appearance, followed by loose powders.
Lead contents were comparatively lower in packaged and labeled turmeric goods, indicating that loose and unregulated turmeric may be more prone to contamination.
Although it is not against the law, lead poisoning in turmeric can have major negative effects, especially on young people. It has been connected to concerns including children's developmental delays, behavioral disorders, and decreased IQ.
According to earlier research, children who are exposed to high amounts of lead—even at blood levels as low as 3.5 µg/dL—may experience behavioral and cognitive problems.
Over 800 million children are thought to have blood lead levels that are much higher than acceptable limits worldwide.
The researchers concluded that the primary pollutant is probably lead chromate, a yellow pigment commonly found in industrial items like paint.
In addition to adding color to turmeric, the additive contains deadly lead, a technique that has been connected to lead poisoning cases in bangladesh and the US.
According to earlier studies on Bangladesh's turmeric supply chain, lead chromate has been added to inferior turmeric roots for decades in an effort to enhance their look.
The researchers urged more research on the supply networks for turmeric in South Asia.
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