A recent tragic event in Sacramento, California underscores the potential dangers of unregulated online purchases and the use of imported health products.
In March 2024, a Sacramento woman tragically lost her life due to acute lead poisoning after using a Vietnamese hemorrhoid cream, Cao Boi Tri Cay Thau Dau, which she procured online. The herbal remedy, hailed as a miracle solution, was found to contain a dangerously high 4% lead content, exposing the potential risks of seemingly innocuous products.
Investigations by the California Department of Public Health revealed that the cream was purchased via Facebook and shipped to the U.S. by a relative in Vietnam. While it is not clear if the cream can be directly purchased within the U.S., officials are urging those who possess this product to stop using it immediately and get tested for lead exposure. The product’s promotion, largely through Vietnamese Facebook groups, complicates the task of monitoring and regulating its distribution.
Lead, a harmful metal, is prohibited in various contexts in the U.S., yet it continues to be found in goods imported from overseas, including foods like apple sauce, ground cinnamon, and dark chocolate and household items like water bottles and sippy cups. This lead poisoning case is part of a distressing pattern observed in the first quarter of this year, with numerous consumer alerts and product recalls due to lead contamination, including children’s toys and jewelry.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stresses the need for caution when buying medicines and health products online. Their guidance includes verifying that online pharmacies require a doctor’s prescription, provide a physical address and phone number in the U.S., employ a licensed pharmacist, and are certified by a state board of pharmacy. Red flags for unsafe online pharmacies include the absence of prescription requirements, lack of licensure in the U.S., and offering products that arrive in poor condition or are significantly cheaper than market rates.
The CDC has reported lead’s presence in products beyond paints, including toys, jewelry, candies, and traditional home remedies imported from countries like Vietnam, India, and Syria. Advocacy groups are sounding the alarm, with a study by Pure Earth revealing excessive lead levels in 18% of more than 5,000 consumer and food products from 25 countries. “Lead pollution knows no boundaries,” said Richard Fuller, president of Pure Earth, highlighting the global challenge of addressing lead contamination.
Long-term exposure to lead can lead to severe health consequences, including developmental issues in children, brain damage, and multiple health problems in adults such as kidney malfunction and hypertension. The absence of immediate symptoms makes lead poisoning particularly treacherous.
