A Summary of This Story
This is a super interesting article that highlights a global investigation into lead poisoning, spearheaded by two women, a New York City detective and a California Ph.D. student, who uncovered the shocking source of contamination: turmeric spice laced with lead chromate in Bangladesh. This practice, which began in the 1980s, aimed to enhance the spice’s color for market appeal but led to widespread lead exposure. The New York Health Department’s investigation found that Bangladeshi families in the U.S. were being poisoned by turmeric brought into the country. Their efforts, alongside researchers in Bangladesh, led to major changes, with lead levels in turmeric dropping significantly. Despite this success, the broader battle against lead poisoning continues worldwide.
