Lead pigment in turmeric is the culprit in a global poisoning mystery (2024)

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 7:56 PM UTC

prairieroadent wrote: post #68

toast0 wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What sort of proper schooling allows one to detect lead in ground turmeric? I guess proper schooling would help one understand the analysis techniques, but the machines are pretty expensive and most people don't have one at home. Regulations that require food products to be regularly surveyed for heavy metals or other contaminants seem more effective than requiring every household to own and operate analysis machines…

if the population was thoroughly educated then I imagine most food would be bought direct from farmers with test published alongside the crop because the population understands the importance of unadulterated food and are armed with the ability to test their food cheaply... once relationships are established with farmers and food providers then the need to test becomes less frequent

Post by Aloisius » Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 7:59 PM UTC

infinitifall wrote: post #71

I'm put off by how this is framed as a detective story. Pesticides that contain heavy metals and other carcinogens are a well known issue, with India (and South Asia more generally) being the worst affected. > You'll never guess the culprit Not knowing about turmeric comes off as deeply ignorant when a billion people consume it as part of their daily diet. > They don't know that this is harmful for human health Let m…

Post by Amezarak » Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 8:02 PM UTC

a123b456c wrote: post #85

Amezarak wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think the NPR reporter is deliberately spinning the story. I think a lot of people don't really believe that other people are really different from them. The reporter would never knowingly poison people for money, so it's not comprehensible to them that lots of people in the world just don't care whether they do or not. The only reason in their minds that people would do such a thing are economic desperation…

I have numerous experiences being quoted by NPR reporters. I have regularly observed them to deliberately frame stories to interest their audience (as I believe they should). In this case, if the reporter claims poisoning without sufficient evidence, the reporter and their employer will be attacked. If the reporter provides no plausible explanation, the story will be found wanting.

Post by londons_explore » Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 8:03 PM UTC

kragen wrote: post #100

londons_explore wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Heavy metals are so easy and cheap to test for that every distributor should be testing every batch, and calling the police if contamination is detected.

The X-ray fluorescence tests used in the market spectacle described in the article are very cheap and easy, but they require equipment that is very expensive from the perspective of your average Bangladesh greengrocer. There are other easy and cheap tests for heavy metals that don't require such expensive equipment, but they only work if the metal ions are water-soluble, which lead chromate isn't.

Post by mook » Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 8:14 PM UTC

GloriousKoji wrote: post #58

oharapj wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can someone validate the water test for lead adulterated turmeric? https://youtu.be/tXWPf0HQd5U?si=-SkT4EQB9SvMx7io

I don't follow youtube links during work hours as a personal policy but an India government webpage outlines the water test for whole tumeric: https://eatrightindia.gov.in/dart/ > Test 14 : Detection of lead chromate in turmeric whole > Testing Method: > * Add small quantity of turmeric whole in a transparent glass of water. > * Pure turmeric will not leave any colour. > * Adulterated turmeric appears to be bright in…