Lead Poisoning From Contaminated Flour in a Family of 11 Members

Abstract

Eleven members of a family living in southeastern Turkey are presented. They were diagnosed as suffering from 'lead poisoning' with typical clinical manifestations and high blood lead concentrations. Contaminated flour (665 micrograms Pb/g) was the cause of poisoning, by oral ingestion. The source of contamination was sought and it was found that the stone of the mill had been repaired with molten lead on the same day that the wheat of the family had been ground; while grinding the wheat some lead was mixed into the flour.