Outbreak
OUTBREAK|
UPDATE 8: UNSAFE LEVELS OF CHROMIUM FOUND IN ADDITION TO LEAD
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Lead & Chromium poisoning
Severity
287 people (mostly children) reported sick with lead poisoning across 37 states to date. In addition to Lead, unsafe levels of Chromium found. Cinnamon used in the products (sourced from Ecuador) linked to the contamination. Products were sold nationwide through various stores including Amazon and Dollar Tree.
Who's At Risk?
Lead and Chromium are toxic to humans and can affect people of any age or health status. The health effects of exposure to chromium are not well understood. Exposure to lead can cause developmental delays in children. Parents and caregivers of toddlers and young children who may have consumed affected products should contact their child’s healthcare provider about getting a blood test.
Symptoms
Most children have no obvious immediate symptoms. However, exposure to lead can seriously harm a child’s health and cause damage to the brain and nervous system, slowed growth and development, as well as learning, hearing, speech, and behavior problems. Acute ingestion of chromium exceeding dietary recommendations may result in abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anemia, renal and hepatic dysfunction.