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The Department of Health (DH) today (May 6) appealed to members of the public not to consume burnt Chinese spells as they may contain heavy metals, thus increasing the risk of heavy metal poisoning.
The appeal followed the DH's receipt of a notification from the Hospital Authority (HA) of a 41-year-old female patient with an elevated blood lead level. The DH had commenced investigation immediately.
The patient, with a chronic neurological disease, was diagnosed by her doctor as having an elevated blood lead level during a follow-up consultation. As she gave a history of consumption of some burnt Chinese spells dissolved in drinking water, the doctor hence suspected that the burnt Chinese spells involved might have contained lead.
"A sample of the Chinese spells was taken for analysis in the HA laboratory and the findings showed that the concentration of lead was 17,342£gg/g. A high blood lead level or even lead poisoning may result if these are consumed for a prolonged period," a DH spokesman said.
Initial investigation revealed that the patient obtained the Chinese spells from the Mainland. The patient is currently in stable condition and hospitalisation was not required. The DH's investigation is continuing.
"Excessive lead exposure by humans would cause damage to the nervous system, red blood cell formation and the kidneys. Children are particularly vulnerable to the adverse health effects of lead," the spokesman remarked.
The spokesman urged members of the public not to consume burnt Chinese spells as they may contain lead. In addition, people feeling unwell or in doubt after consuming burnt Chinese spells should consult health-care professionals as soon as possible. People with any illness should consult health-care professionals for appropriate treatment.
Ends/Monday, May 6, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:37
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