Heavy Metals in Cultural Products
This webpage compiles educational and outreach materials highlighting the risks from heavy metal exposure primarily to children and pregnant women from a variety of cultural and religious products. These products include cosmetics, religious powders, spices, traditional medicines, and cookware that may be used by communities in the United States.
Risks of Heavy Metal Exposure
Cultural products can contain heavy metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic, antimony and cadmium. The presence of heavy metals in these products may come as a surprise to some since these products have been used during their own childhoods and into adulthood without any obvious health impacts. However, health impacts can be subtle, and you may not be able to tell just by looking at someone or may take years to present themselves. For example, health impacts from lead exposure in children may include learning difficulties, reduced IQ, and behavioral issues such as hyperactivity and inability to pay attention.
Learn more about the health effects of lead exposure.
Learn more about the health effects of mercury exposure.
Using these Resources and Search Tool
Click on links in the categories below to narrow your search based on the cultural product, type of contaminant, and language. Further narrow the search by using the drop-down menus located on the first row of the table. Clear your search by clicking reset filters.
The resources compiled below are primarily for members of the public who may use these cultural products. In addition, some resources contain case and technical reports which may be useful for public health professionals.
These resources were developed by various federal, state and local government agencies and partners and do not necessarily represent the views and policies of EPA.
Contact us to add additional resources to this list.
Cultural Product
| Title | Resource Description | Source | Cultural Product | Heavy Metal | Languages | Material Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reducing Childhood Lead Poisoning in Immigrant Communities from Imported Makeup | The Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units have developed a number of factsheets to educate immigrant communities on lead and other heavy metal contamination and the risk of exposure from certain imported makeup including kohl, kajal and surma. | Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Lead | Dari (دری); Pashto (پښتو); Urdu (اردو); Hindi (हिन्दी), Arabic (اَلْعَرَبِيَّةُ); Somali (اَف صومالي) (𐒖𐒍 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘); English | Fact sheet |
| Traditional Sources of Lead Exposures in Immigrant Populations (PDF) | This factsheet provides information on the types of traditional cosmetics, spices and other traditional products which can result in heavy metal exposure. This factsheet presents traditional sources by community, making it easier for community members to find information most relevant to them. | Northwest Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units | Cosmetics and Religious Powders; Spices and Food Products | Lead; Cadmium; Antimony | English | Fact Sheet |
| Imported Eye Cosmetics Found to Contain Lead: Kohl, Kajal, Surma and Tiro (PDF) | This factsheet provides basic information about traditional cosmetics known to contain lead and other heavy metals such as how one can be exposed to lead from use of these products. This factsheet also informs users of next steps if they suspect a product they are using contains lead, and provides other resources which provide additional information. | New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Lead | English | Fact sheet |
| Some Consumer Products Contain Lead, Mercury and Arsenic (PDF) | This factsheet provides information on potential lead, mercury and arsenic exposure from traditional consumer products such as cosmetics, spices, health remedies, and religious powders and how individuals using these products may get exposed to heavy metals. | New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene | Cosmetics and Religious Powders; Spices and Food Products | Lead; Mercury; Arsenic | English | Fact sheet |
| South Asians and Lead Poisoning | This brochure focuses on the South Asian community and the sources of lead exposure most prevalent in this group. This brochure provides information on what community members can do to reduce their risk of lead exposure after using certain traditional products such as cosmetics and religious powders; spices, and health remedies. | New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene | Cosmetics and Religious Powders; Spices and Food Products | Lead | Bengali (বাংলা); Hindi (हिन्दी); Urdu (اردو); English | Fact sheet |
| Hazardous Consumer Products | This website provides additional information on a variety of traditional consumer products known to contain lead and other heavy metals such as mercury and arsenic. This website provides information on traditional products such as health remedies; kohl, kajal, surma and sindoor (cosmetics); certain cookware; and spices. | New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene | Cosmetics and Religious Powders; Spices and Food Products; Cookware; Traditional Medicines | Mercury; Arsenic | English | Website |
| Hazardous Products: Foods and Spices | The website provides important background information about lead in spices from South Asian countries and the country of Georgia and links to other resources such as signs and fact sheets to educate community members about lead in spices. | New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene | Spices and Food Products | Lead | English | Website |
| Health Warning: Spices from Georgia May Contain High Levels of Lead (PDF) | This health warning provides information about the types of spices from the country of Georgia which contain high levels of lead. | New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene | Spices and Food Products | Lead | Georgian (ქართული ენა); English | Fact sheet |
| Balqees Yemeni Spices Health Warning Sign (PDF) | This health warning sign provides information about lead contamination in certain types of Yemini spices. | New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene | Spices and Food Products | Lead | English; Yemini (لهجة يمنية) | Fact sheet |
| Metal Content of Consumer Products Tested by the NYC Health Department | This website serves as a database of the results of laboratory analysis of a variety of consumer products including cosmetics, spices and traditional health remedies, cosmetics. Heavy metals tested include lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic. | New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene | Cosmetics and Religious Powders; Spices and Food Products; Traditional Medicines | Mercury; Arsenic; Cadmium; Lead | English | Website |
| Intervention Model for Contaminated Consumer Products: A Multifaceted Tool for Protecting Public Health | This research article is for public health professionals investigating contaminated consumer products such as traditional cosmetics, spices and religious powders. The interventional model outlined in the paper and used by New York City can serve as a useful model for other local and state health department as they conduct their own investigations of contaminated cultural products. | New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene | Cosmetics and Religious Powders; Spices and Food Products | Lead | English | Website |
| Health Department Issues Lead Warning to New Yorkers: Avoid Using Traditional Ceramic Ware for Food and Drinks; May Contain Lead | In September 2021, the NYC Department of Health issue a lead warning recommending New Yorkers stop using traditional, non-food safe clay pots, cups, and dishes (ceramic ware) for cooking or serving foods and drinks due to potential lead exposure. | New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene | Cookware | Lead | English | Website |
| Hazardous Products: Mercury in Soaps and Creams | This website provides information to consumers about the types of skin creams from various regions found to contain mercury; how to identify skin products containing mercury; and what to do if they are using any products containing mercury. The website also links to other resources on mercury in skin lightening products. | New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | English | Website |
| Skin-Lightening Creams Warning Postcard (PDF) | This postcard provides a general warning and information about mercury contamination of skin lightening creams. | New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | Spanish (español); Chinese (中文); French (français); Bengali (বাংলা); Urdu (اردو); English | Fact sheet |
| Lead Poisoning: Culturally Sensitive Communication (PDF) | These slides provide information on the various types of traditional products which may contain lead and other heavy metals and how to communicate with community members in a culturally sensitive manner to raise awareness of the exposure risks of using such products and how to reduce those risks. | Connecticut Department of Health | Cosmetics and Religious Powders; Spices and Food Products; Cookware; Traditional Medicines | Lead | English | Presentation |
| Metal Toxicity from Traditional Medications | This website provides information on heavy metal exposure including lead and arsenic from traditional medication called Ayurveda often used in the South Asian community. This website provides information of why heavy metals may be added to these medications and what a person can do if they are using these traditional medications. | Minnesota Department of Health | Traditional Medicines | Lead; Arsenic | English; Hindi (हिन्दी); Gujarati (ગુજરાતી); Nepali (नेपाली भाषा); Punjabi (پن٘جابی) (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਭਾਸ਼ਾ); Urdu (اردو) | Website |
| Lead in Imported Products (PDF) | This factsheet provides information, examples and pictures of lead in various types of cultural products including, spices, medicines, cookware, ceremonial powders and cosmetics. | Minnesota Department of Health | Cosmetics and Religious Powders; Spices and Food Products; Cookware; Traditional Medicines | Lead | English | Fact sheet |
| Minnesota Family Environmental Exposure Tracking (MN FEET): MN FEET Community Report (PDF) | The MN FEET study was conducted by the MN Department of Health to measure the amounts of mercury, lead and cadmium in pregnant woman and their newborn babies. More information about the study can be found online. | Minnesota Department of Health | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Lead; Mercury; Cadmium | English; Somali (اَف صومالي) (𐒖𐒍 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘); Spanish (español); Hmong | Report |
| Choose Health, Avoid Skin Lightening Products | This fact sheet provides information on skin lightening creams containing mercury and the dangers resulting from their use. It describes how mercury can get into the body of an individual using these creams or into the bodies of their family members. It also provides pictures of certain products known to contain mercury. | Minnesota Department of Health | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | English; Spanish (español); Somali (اَف صومالي) (𐒖𐒍 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘); Karen; Hmong; Oromo (Afaan Oromoo); Amharic (አማርኛ); Tigrinya | Website |
| Mercury Exposure from Skin Lightening Products: Fact Sheet For Health Care Providers (PDF) | This factsheet for healthcare practitioners provides information on how individuals may be exposed to mercury; symptoms of mercury exposures; recommendations to patients using products containing mercury; testing for mercury; and how to treat patients with mercury exposure. | Minnesota Department of Health | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | English; | Factsheet |
| Skin Lightening Products Found to Contain Mercury, Hydroquinone and/or Steroids (PDF) | This technical report provides names and pictures of products found through testing to exceed the FDA limit for mercury in cosmetics. The level of mercury found in the products is also provided. This is not a comprehensive list and only represents those skin lightening products tests by the Minnesota Department of Health. | Minnesota Department of Health | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | English | Factsheet |
| Lead Education Materials | The California Department of Public Health's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch has developed lead education materials in multiple languages for parents and families, health care provider offices, childcare givers, businesses and organizations, and others interested in preventing lead exposure in children. | California Department of Public Health | Spices and Food Products; Cookware; Traditional Medicines | Lead | English; Dari (دری); Spanish (español); Armenian; Chinese (中文); Farsi (فارسی); Hindi (हिन्दी); Hmong; Japanese (日本語); Khmer (ភាសាខ្មែរ); Korean (한국어); Lao (ລາວ); Pashto (پښتو); Punjabi (پن٘جابی) (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਭਾਸ਼ਾ); Russian (русский язык); Tagalog; Urdu (اردو); Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Website |
| Learn About Lead in Folk Remedies Protect Your Family from Lead Poisoning (PDF) | This brochure provides basic information to consumers on lead in various folk remedies. It also contains a table with the names of some folk remedies known to contain lead broken down by region (Latin America; Middle East; India; Asia). | California Department of Public Health | Traditional Medicines | Lead | English; | Brochure |
| Lead in Traditional Ceramic Dishware Brochure (PDF) | This brochure provides information on lead exposure from traditional dishware from countries such as Mexico and China and includes pictures of how some of this dishware may look. | California Department of Public Health | Cookware | Lead | English | Brochure |
| Do You Cook with Traditional Pottery? It May Contain Lead! (PDF) | This factsheet provides information on traditional dishware which may contain lead, including the types most likely to contain lead and how lead from dishware may end up in an individual's body. | California Department of Public Health | Cookware | Lead | English; Spanish (español) | Factsheet |
| Has Your Child Been Treated for Stomachache? (PDF) | This factsheet provides information on why parents should not treat their children with certain traditional remedies such as Greta and Azarcon since they may contain lead. It provides pictures of what these medicines look like to help parents avoid them. | California Department of Public Health | Traditional Medicines | Lead | English; Spanish (español) | Factsheet |
| Mercury in Skin Creams | This website answers commonly asked about mercury in skin creams such as health impacts of mercury on adults and children; how to determine if a cream contains mercury; and how to choose safer alternatives. It also links to the resources on mercury in skin creams described below. | California Department of Public Health | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | English | Website |
| Face Creams Containing Mercury | This website provides a list of face creams found to contain mercury through testing by the California Department of Health (CDPH) or another state agency for which CDPH provided technical assistance. | California Department of Public Health | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | English | Website |
| Consumer Alert California Department of Public Health (PDF) | This factsheet provides the names of three face creams/skin lightening creams found to contain methylmercury. The factsheet provides states that consumer should be aware as these creams can be sold on social media or other venues. | California Department of Public Health | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | English; | Factsheet |
| How to Choose a Safer Skin Cream (PDF) | This factsheet provides information on how consumers can purchase safe face creams that do not contain mercury and what to be aware of when purchasing such creams. | California Department of Public Health | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | English | Factsheet |
| Some Face Creams Can Poison People (PDF) | This factsheet provides the names of face creams found to contain mercury through testing; what to do if an individual is using a face cream found to contain mercury; and general information on the types of face creams to avoid. This factsheet has multiple versions with each version containing a list of skin creams from products from various regions including, Southeast Asian products, South Asian products and Spanish language products. | California Department of Public Health | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | English; Chinese (中文); Hmong; Lao (ລາວ); Tagalog; Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt); Arabic (اَلْعَرَبِيَّةُ); Hindi (हिन्दी); Pashto (پښتو); Urdu (اردو) | Factsheet |
| Woman in Coma after Using Skin Cream from Mexico (PDF) | This community alert informs residents about a woman who fell into a coma after using a skin cream containing mercury. It provides information on what consumers should do if they are using face cream from Mexico not purchased from a major retailer and provides images and names of face creams from Mexico found to contain mercury. There is also a healthcare provider version of this factsheet with information on symptoms of mercury poisoning of which providers should be aware and how to guide patients who may be using creams with mercury contamination. | California Department of Public Health | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | English | Factsheet |
| Mercury in Skin Creams Presentation to Inform Community Health Workers (PDF) | This Spanish language presentation for community health workers is meant to inform those working on the front lines in communities about the dangers of skin lightening creams due to mercury contamination so they may convey the information to community members. | California Department of Public Health | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | Spanish (español) | Presentation |
| Health Alert: Mercury Poisoning Linked to Use of Imported Skin-Lightening Creams (PDF) | This health alert informs healthcare providers on the potential for mercury poisoning from skin lightening creams and provides case study examples of consumers who have become poisoned after using mercury contaminated skin lightening creams. It also provides examples of skin lightening creams containing mercury and provides guidance for medical testing, treatment, follow up and disposal. | California Department of Public Health | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | English | Factsheet |
| Methylmercury Toxicity from a Skin Lightening Cream Obtained from Mexico — California, 2019 | This report describes a case in which a woman became mercury poisoned through the chronic use of skin lightening cream obtained from Mexico. This report is the first known case of a person become mercury poisoned due to methylmercury in skin lightening cream as most creams with mercury contain inorganic mercury. | California Department of Public Health | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | English | Report |
| El mercurio en las cremas faciales | This 60-second Spanish language public service announcement aired on radio stations throughout California in 2010, warning of the danger of mercury from skin lightening creams. A 30-second version is also available. | California Department of Public Health | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | Spanish (español) | Audio |
| It Is Illegal to Sell Creams that Contain Mercury (PDF) (Spanish language products) | This factsheet informs store owners and sellers of skin creams that it is illegal to sell creams containing mercury. It provides a link to a full list of creams found to contain mercury. The factsheet also provides instructions to sellers on properly disposing of these products if they have these products on their shelves. This factsheet has another version containing a list of Southeast Asian face creams. | California Department of Public Health | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | English | Factsheet |
| Mercury Poisoning Linked to Skin Lightening Creams: FAQ for Health Care Providers May 2010 | This website provides FAQs for healthcare providers on mercury poisoning from the use of skin lightening creams. It provides information and guidance on responding to patients who may be using skin lightening creams with mercury; symptoms of mercury exposure; impacts on pregnant women and children; and how to test patients for mercury exposure. | Virginia Department of Health | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | English | Website |
| Mercury in Skin Creams | This website provides information on the symptoms associated with mercury poisoning for both adults and children. It also provides the names and images of skin creams which previously tested positive for mercury contamination. | Sacramento County Department of Health Services | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | English | Website |
| Traditional and Home Remedies Known to Contain Lead (PDF) | This fact sheet shows pictures of the various types of traditional products known to contain lead. Pictures of packaging provides a simple way for consumer to tell which products to avoid. The second page provides a description of common products by region (Asia; South Asia; Middle East and Latin America) and the typical use of such products. | Los Angeles County Department of Public Health | Spices and Food Products; Traditional Medicines | Lead | English | Factsheet |
| Mercury in Skin-Lightening Products: A Factsheet for Retail Store Owners in Illinois (PDF) | This factsheet aimed toward retail store owners provides information on the health risks to customers from the use of mercury contained skin lightening cream; how to tell if a product contains mercury; and how to properly dispose of creams containing mercury. | Illinois Environmental Protection Agency | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | English | Factsheet |
| Skin Lightening Products | This website provides background information on the health risks associated from use of mercury containing skin lightening products and what an individual should do if they are using such products. It also links to various other educational and outreach materials. | Ramsey County (Minnesota) Department of Public Health | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | English | Website |
| Health Alert: Skin-lightening Creams with Mercury Can Hurt You! (PDF) | This factsheet provides information on the health impacts of mercury exposure and what an individual should do if they are using skin-lightening creams containing mercury. It also provides the names and images of skin lightening creams which have tested positive for mercury and includes the amount of mercury content. | Ramsey County (Minnesota) Department of Public Health | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | English; Spanish (español); Hmoob (lus hmoob); Karen; Somali (اَف صومالي) (𐒖𐒍 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘) | Factsheet |
| XPXP: The Danger of Mercury in Beauty Products | This episode of a local Hmong television show focuses on the dangers of mercury found in beauty products sold in local flea markets. | Ramsey County (Minnesota) Department of Public Health | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | Hmong | Television |
| Skin-lightening practices and risks in the Somali community | This video focuses on the dangers of using skin lightening creams containing mercury often used in the Somali community. | Ramsey County (Minnesota) Department of Public Health | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | English | Video |
| Clinician Alert: Lead in cultural products, turmeric | This website serves as guidance for clinicians treating children and pregnant women from the South Asian community to determine if they are at risk of lead exposure from using traditional cosmetics or religious powders such as sindoor, kohl or spices such as turmeric. It also provides the names of common brands of traditional cosmetics of which clinicians should be aware. | Multnomah County (Oregon) Health Department | Cosmetics and Religious Powders; Spices and Food Products | Lead | English | Website |
| What to know about lead in cultural products, turmeric | This website provides information on the types of cultural products commonly containing lead. It also provides background information on lead poisoning and information on:
| Multnomah County (Oregon) Health Department | Cosmetics and Religious Powders; Spices and Food Products | Lead | English | Website |
| Lead in Kohl, Hindu Powders, Turmeric, Pottery | This website provides actionable information on what individuals can do if they use a cultural powder, cosmetic, spice or pottery which may contain lead. | Multnomah County (Oregon) Health Department | Cosmetics and Religious Powders; Spices and Food Products; Cookware | Lead | English; Amharic (አማርኛ); Arabic (اَلْعَرَبِيَّةُ); Farsi (فارسی); Hindi (हिन्दी); Somali (اَف صومالي) (𐒖𐒍 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘); Urdu (اردو); Pashto (پښتو) | Website |
| Alarming lead levels found in certain traditional cosmetics, turmeric | This website provides details on the investigation by the Washington and Multnomah County Health Department along with the Oregon Health Authority into lead levels found in cultural powders and cosmetics such as sindoor, kumkum, and kohl, among others. This website also provides results of lead testing of brands of with extremely high lead levels. | Multnomah County (Oregon) Health Department | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Lead | English | Website |
| Lead in Traditional Hindu Powders | This video explains the potential of lead exposure from use of traditional powders such as sindoor. The video is narrated in Nepali by a member of the Hindu community with a focus on cultural sensitivity and respect. | Multnomah County (Oregon) Health Department | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Lead | Nepali (नेपाली भाषा); English | Video |
| Lead in Kohl (Black Eye Powder) | This video explains the potential of lead exposure from use of traditional eye cosmetics such as kohl, kajal, surmah, athmad. The video is narrated in Farsi with a focus on cultural sensitivity and respect. | Multnomah County (Oregon) Health Department | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Lead | Farsi (فارسی) | Video |
| El plomo en la cerámica tradicional mexicana | This video explains the potential of lead exposure from use of traditional Mexican pottery such as ceramic or clay pots (barro) known as Molcajete, chilmolera, cazuela and Olla de barro. The video is narrated in Spanish with a focus on cultural sensitivity and respect. | Multnomah County (Oregon) Health Department | Cookware | Lead | Spanish (español) | Video |
| Multnomah County mother speaks about her child's exposure to lead containing skin creams | This video is of an interview with a mother who used a skin cream containing high lead content to treat her child's eczema. The cream, known as Diep Bao, is manufactured primarily in Vietnam, and claims to treat skin ailments such as eczema, rashes and dry skin. | Multnomah County (Oregon) Health Department | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Lead | Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Video |
| PHO Rounds: A Case of Lead Poisoning from Traditional Medicines | This video provides an overview of a case study in which an individual was diagnosed with elevated blood lead levels after using traditional (ayurvedic) medicine. It explains the public health response to the case and how clinicians can recognize lead poisoning from traditional medicines. | Public Health Ontario | Traditional Medicines | Lead | English | Video |
| Kohl, Kajal, Al-Kahal, Surma, Tiro, Tozali, or Kwalli: By Any Name, Beware of Lead Poisoning | This question-and-answer format website provides important information on the risk of lead exposure from traditional cosmetics such as how exposure occurs; how to reduce exposure; FDA's legal authority to address these products; and how they end up on store shelves in the United States. | Food and Drug Administration | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Lead | English | Website |
| Questions and Answers on Lead-Glazed Traditional Pottery | The website provides information on lead in traditional pottery labeled as "lead free" yet containing lead. It provides information of why lead may be used in some pottery and what to pay attention to when purchasing traditional pottery in order to avoid acquiring anything with excessive lead levels. | Food and Drug Administration | Cookware | Lead | English | Website |
| Mercury Poisoning Linked to Skin Products | This website provides information on the dangers associated with using skin lightening creams containing mercury; what to look for on the label when purchasing such products; how they enter the U.S.; and how individuals can protect themselves if they have used skin lightening products. | Food and Drug Administration | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | English | Website |
| Skin Products Containing Mercury | This website provides the mercury content of several skin lightening creams by brand tested by the FDA. The links in the table provide images of the products. | Food and Drug Administration | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | English | Website |
| Task Force on Ritualistic Uses of Mercury Report (PDF) | This report provides information on the cultural practices and traditions around mercury use and their potential public health impacts and makes recommendations at the federal, state and local levels for further investigation, outreach, and action. | This report is based on information gathered and recommendations made by an interagency task force consisting of federal, state, local and non-governmental partners. | Spices and Food Products; Traditional Medicines | Mercury | English | Report |
| Lead in Foods, Cosmetics, and Medicines | This website provides background information on the types of traditional consumer products which may contain lead such as cosmetics, religious powders and health remedies and how a child may be exposed to lead in these products. The website also lists out steps parents can take if they suspect their child has been exposed to lead. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | Cosmetics and Religious Powders; Spices and Food Products; Traditional Medicines | Lead | English | Website |
| Lead in Spices, Herbal Remedies, and Ceremonial Powders Sampled from Home Investigations for Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels — North Carolina, 2011–2018 | This Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) study of lead content in spices, herbal remedies, and ceremonial powders in homes of children with elevated blood lead levels found that 28.8% of samples contained ≥1 mg/kg lead. Contaminated products may represent an important, but under considered, source of childhood lead exposure. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | Cosmetics and Religious Powders; Spices and Food Products; Traditional Medicines | Lead | English | Report |
| Notes from the Field: Lead Poisoning in a Family of Five Resulting from Use of Traditional Glazed Ceramic Ware — New York City, 2017–2022 | This report describes a case study in which a family using traditional ceramicware for cooking, storing meals, and making coffee was diagnosed with elevated blood lead levels. After intervention by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the family stopped using these products resulting in a subsequent drop in their blood lead levels. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | Cookware | Lead | English | Report |
| Lead Poisoning in Pregnant Women Who Used Traditional Medications from India — New York City, 2011–2012 | This report describes six case reports in which pregnant women of South Asian descent had elevated blood lead levels due to consumption of traditional medicines containing lead. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | Traditional Medicines | Lead | English | Report |
| Infant Lead Poisoning Associated with Use of Tiro, an Eye Cosmetic from Nigeria — Boston, Massachusetts, 2011 | This report describes a case study in which an infant had elevated blood lead levels due to application of "tiro," a Nigerian cosmetic that is also used as a folk remedy to improve vision. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Lead | English | Report |
| Childhood Lead Poisoning from Commercially Manufactured French Ceramic Dinnerware --- New York City, 2003 | This report describes a case study of elevated blood lead levels in a 20-month-old child due to lead leaching from ceramic dinnerware imported from France. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | Cookware | Lead | English | Report |
| Childhood Lead Poisoning Associated with Tamarind Candy and Folk Remedies ---California, 1999--2000 | This report describes five cases of elevated blood lead levels in children in California due to consumption of traditional candy and folk remedies. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | Spices and Food Products | Lead | English | Report |
| Mercury Exposure Among Household Users and Nonusers of Skin-Lightening Creams Produced in Mexico — California and Virginia, 2010 | This report describes investigations in California and Virginia where members of the same family were exposed to mercury through the use of skin lightening creams. Fifteen members of the same family in both states had elevated urinary mercury levels due to either use of skin lightening creams or being in close proximity to users of the cream. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | English | Report |
| Lead Poisoning Associated with Imported Candy and Powdered Food Coloring -- California and Michigan | This report describes case studies of children with elevated blood lead levels resulting from consumption of imported traditional candy and an orange powder called lozeena which is used for food coloring. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | Spices and Food Products | Mercury | English | Report |
| Screening for Lead during the Domestic Medical Examination for Newly Arrived Refugees | This website provides information on lead screening recommendations for newly arrived refugee children; pregnant and lactating women; and other adults. It also provides background information on the sources of lead for refugees from various countries and cultures including cosmetics, spices, traditional medicines and cookware such as pressure cookers. This resource is targeted towards healthcare providers. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | Cosmetics and Religious Powders; Spices and Food Products; Cookware; Traditional Medicines | Lead | English | Report |
| A Spoonful of Lead (PDF) | This infographic provides high-level information on research on lead contamination of spices; countries from which spices have high lead levels; possible causes of contamination; and steps policymakers and medical professionals can take to reduce and address contamination and exposure to lead from spices. | Journal of Public Health Management and Practice | Spices and Food Products | Lead | English | Infographic |
| The Cultural Parameters of Lead Poisoning: A Medical Anthropologist's View of Intervention in Environmental Lead Exposure (PDF) | This article describes four cultural foundations which can serve as the basis for sources of lead in certain cultures. These foundations include modern and historical technological sources; food habits; culturally defined health benefits; and beauty practices. These can result in lead often seen in cultural products such as pottery, folk medicines and cosmetics. This article also describes cultural barriers which prevent the reduction of these sources. | Environmental Health Perspectives | Cosmetics and Religious Powders; Spices and Food Products; Traditional Medicines | Lead | English | Report |
| Preventing Harm on Arrival: Lead Prevention in Newly Resettled Pediatric Refugees | This commentary focuses on the need for primary prevention of lead exposure for recently resettled refugees. It argues that lead poisoning prevention requires prioritization at all levels of the resettlement process including by resettlement agencies and healthcare providers. | Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics | Cosmetics and Religious Powders; Spices and Food Products; Cookware; Traditional Medicines | Lead | English | Website |
| Mercury in Skin Lightening Products | This report by the World Health Organization provides information on mercury in skin lighting products and recommendations on the public awareness and regulatory needs by various countries to stop the manufacture, import, export and use of skin lightening creams containing mercury. | World Health Organization | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | English | Report |
| Mercury in Skin Lightening Products - A Threat to Health | The short video provides information on the dangers from mercury exposure from use of skin lightening products. | World Health Organization | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | English | Video |
| Mercury Findings in Skin-Lightening Products Online Database | This database compiles the results of mercury testing of various skin-lightening creams by the Zero Mercury Working Group and other organizations. | Zero Mercury Working Group | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | English | Website |
| Skin Lighteners Still Online Despite Mercury Findings (PDF) | This report by the Zero Mercury Working Group shows that mercury containing skin lightening products are still widely available from online retailers despite knowledge on the adverse health impacts of mercury exposure. The report also provides policy recommendations to address the availability of mercury containing skin lightening products from online platforms and local retailers. | Zero Mercury Working Group | Cosmetics and Religious Powders | Mercury | English | Report |
| Investigating aluminum cookpots as a source of lead exposure in Afghan refugee children resettled in the United States | The objective of this study is to evaluate the potential contribution of lead-containing cookpots to elevated blood lead levels in Afghan children and determine whether safer alternative cookware is available. | King County’s Hazardous Waste Management Program | Cookware | Lead | English | Report |
Lead Exposure Through Traditional Mexican Ceramic Ware: Findings in New York City (pdf) | This presentation for health professionals discusses NYC’s investigation into lead contaminated ceramic products from Mexico. | New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene | Cookware | Lead | English | Presentation |
| Lead and Leadership: Taking Action to Prevent Lead Poisoning Curriculum | Lead and Leadership is an English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) public health curriculum about preventing lead poisoning, featuring characters from the We Speak NYC videos. There is a Study Guide and a Facilitator Guide. | NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene | Cosmetics and Religious Powders; Spices and Food Products; Cookware; Traditional Medicines | Lead | English | Website |
| Investigating and Addressing Exposures to Lead-Containing Consumer Products | This guide provides technical assistance for the identification, collection, analysis and data interpretation of lead-contaminated consumer products. It also provides strategies for education and outreach to stakeholders. | New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene | Cosmetics and Religious Powders; Spices and Food Products; Cookware; Traditional Medicines | Lead | English | Fact sheet |
| Lead in Spices and Other Cultural Items Factsheet (PDF) | This fact sheet explains different sources of lead in spices, herbal remedies, ceremonial powders, and cosmetics. | North Carolina Healthy Homes | Cosmetics and Religious Powders; Spices and Food Products | Lead | English; Spanish (español); Dari (دری); Pashto (پښتو); Hindi (हिन्दी); Burmese; Mandarin | Fact sheet |
| Lead in Candy | This database contains laboratory data of lead content for various candies tested as well as photographs of candies containing higher than 0.10 ppm lead. | California Department of Public Health | Food Products | Lead | English | Website |
| Addressing Lead Poisoning Through Consumer Product Surveillance: The Role of New York City’s Non-Paint Sample Database | This publication discusses the work of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to reduce lead exposure in NYC residents including children and pregnant women through surveillance of consumer products including foods, spices, cultural powders, and traditional ceramic or metal ware. | New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene | Cosmetics and Religious Powders; Spices and Food Products; Cookware; Traditional Medicines | Lead | English | Report |