A distressing event in Sacramento, California underlines the potential dangers of unregulated online purchases, particularly in the context of imported health remedies.
A Sacramento resident lost her life in March of 2024 due to severe lead poisoning resulting from the use of a Vietnamese hemorrhoid ointment, Cao Boi Tri Cay Thau Dau, which she had acquired online. The herbal product, often promoted as a wonder cure, was found to contain a perilously high lead content of 4%, highlighting the potential risks of products that may seem innocuous.
Following an investigation by the California Department of Public Health, it was revealed that the ointment was purchased on Facebook and shipped to the U.S. by a relative in Vietnam. Officials are yet to determine if the ointment can be directly bought within the U.S., but have advised consumers in possession of this product to discontinue its use immediately and undergo blood tests for lead exposure. The marketing of the ointment, primarily through Vietnamese Facebook groups, complicates the tracking and regulation of its distribution.
In various contexts, lead, a harmful metal, has been long prohibited in the U.S. However, it still finds its way into products imported from overseas, including items as diverse as apple sauce, ground cinnamon, dark chocolate, water bottles, and sippy cups. This instance of poisoning is part of a concerning pattern noted in the initial three months of this year, featuring numerous consumer warnings and product recalls due to lead contamination, involving items such as children’s toys and jewelry.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stresses the necessity of caution when buying medicines and health remedies online. Their recommendations include verifying that online pharmacies mandate a doctor’s prescription, display a U.S. physical address and telephone number, employ a licensed pharmacist, and hold a license from a state board of pharmacy. Red flags indicating unsafe online pharmacies include not requiring prescriptions, no licensure in the U.S., and offering products in poor condition or at prices significantly lower than market rates.
The CDC has reported the presence of lead in a variety of products beyond paint, such as toys, jewelry, candies, and traditional home remedies brought in from countries including Vietnam, India, and Syria. Advocacy groups have sounded the alarm, with a study by Pure Earth discovering excessive lead levels in 18% of over 5,000 consumer and food products from 25 countries. “Lead pollution knows no boundaries,” said Richard Fuller, President of Pure Earth, highlighting the global predicament of tackling lead contamination.
The health consequences of lead exposure are serious, with prolonged exposure associated with developmental issues in children, brain damage, and numerous adult health problems including kidney dysfunction and hypertension. Most people do not show immediate symptoms, which makes lead poisoning particularly deceptive.
