HEALTH ADVISORY: LEAD AND ARSENIC IN REMEDY FOR MORNING SICKNESS

The purpose of this advisory is to provide New York State (NYS) health care providers (HCPs) with recommendations to identify patients who may use Calabash Chalk, a West African remedy, also known as Calabash Clay, Nizu, Poto, Calabar Stone, Ndom, Mabele, Argile, or La Craie.
If a patient reports using this product, tell them to stop using it and obtain a blood lead level. Testing for arsenic is not recommended at this time, unless the patient reports symptoms consistent with arsenic toxicity.

Report all known or suspected poisonings to a Regional Poison Control Center by calling 1-800-222-1222.

HCPs may also consult with a Regional Lead Resource Center. Contact information is located at http://www.nyhealth.gov/environmenta /lead/exposure/childhood/regional_lead_resource_centers.htm.

This entry was posted on Friday, May 14th, 2010 at 12:43 pm and is filed under HEALTH DEPARTMENT UPDATES. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.