Some Alternative Remedies May be Dangerous

What Americans may consider “alternative medicine” is a mainstream practice in many foreign countries and a recent incident at Boston Children’s Hospital reveals that although many people swear by these remedies, some have the potential to be dangerous.

Specialists at the hospital were scratching their heads as to why an infant patient had high levels of lead in his system when no clear source, such as lead paint in the home, was found. A deeper investigation by researchers found that his family had been applying a Nigerian eye cosmetic and folk remedy that is 83 percent lead to the six-month-old’s eyelids several times a week, according to the Boston Globe. The family believed that this product, called Tiro, would improve the child’s vision and make him more attractive.

The case appears in a report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that identifies the risks of similar lead-containing products and remedies used in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. CDC officials are urging doctors, midwives, and other health care staff to discuss the dangers of heavy metal poisoning from folk remedies.

In May, the CDC lowered the standard for what it considered lead poisoning in children. Lead can harm the brain, kidneys, and nervous system, and children are especially sensitive, according to the Boston Globe.

If your child has experienced lead poisoning from an unsafe product, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if a product liability lawyer may be able to help you. For legal help, call (800) 581-6358.

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