Public Health Risks from Heavy Metals and Metalloids Present in Traditional Chinese Medicines

Abstract

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.

Queensland Health provided funding and expertise for the project. Griffith University provided a PhD scholarship (Kelli Cooper) to make the research possible. ENTOX is a partnership between Queensland Health, University of Queensland, Griffith University, and Queensland University of Technology. Professor Paolo Ricci provided some useful comments.

Notes

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