B.C.'s largest health authority has issued a warning after two people fell ill with lead poisoning believed to be linked with Ayurvedic herbal medicines or opium-containing products.
Fraser Health Authority issued the public warning Monday, noting the opium-containing products are commonly used by some South Asian populations and are prepared directly from the poppy plant. Sold as doda or afeem, the products may be contaminated with heavy metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic and other toxins, the warning says.
"Some Ayurvedic medicines may contain high levels of heavy metals, which may be harmful to your body,” states the warning.
Ayurveda is a ’natural system of medicine’ that people in India have used for more than 5,000 years. Ayurveda uses herbal remedies and does treatment through massage, meditation, yoga and dietary changes.
Side effects of lead poisoning include fatigue, irritability, headache, muscle pain, abdominal discomfort or pain, constipation, vomiting and tremor. More severe symptoms are abdominal pain, seizure, reduced consciousness, numbness and very weak muscles.
The B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and Fraser Health investigated the two lead poisoning cases but did not reveal where the products were purchased. The BCCDC said it can be difficult to tell which products are contaminated.
Use Natural Product Number to check registered medicines
A Fraser Health spokesperson said that while cases of lead poisoning are rare, people can take steps to reduce their risk. The health authority suggests people look for the Natural Product Number and check if it is registered with Health Canada.
"If you are using a product without an NPN, or using doda or afeem, you can talk to your health care provider about other options,” said the spokesperson.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of lead poisoning or other side effects should seek medical attention and call the BC Drug and Poison Information Centre at 604-682-5050 or 1-800-567-8911, the public health authority said.
In 2019, the Fraser Health Authority issued a health alert asking people to discard products purchased from Dutta Health Centre Ayurvedic Clinic in Surrey. The products were tested and found higher than acceptable levels of heavy metals.
Fraser Health issued the owner of the Dutta Clinic a health hazard order pursuant to the Public Health Act following an investigation into lead exposure.
