A tragic incident that occurred in Sacramento, California highlights the risks associated with unregulated online purchases and the dangers of imported health remedies.
A local woman died in March 2024 from severe lead poisoning after applying a Vietnamese hemorrhoid ointment, known as Cao Boi Tri Cay Thau Dau, which she had bought online. The herbal product, touted as a miracle cure, was discovered to have a dangerously high lead content of 4%, exposing the hidden hazards of products that may appear harmless.
The California Department of Public Health’s investigation revealed the ointment was purchased on Facebook and mailed to the U.S. by a relative in Vietnam. While it remains unclear whether the ointment is directly purchasable within the U.S., officials have urged consumers who have this product to cease its use immediately and seek blood testing for lead exposure. The ointment’s marketing, predominantly through Facebook groups in Vietnamese, adds complexity to tracking and regulating its distribution.
Lead, a toxic metal, has long been banned in the U.S. in various contexts. It continues to surface in products imported from abroad, ranging from apple sauce and ground cinnamon to dark chocolate and household items like water bottles and sippy cups. This poisoning is part of a troubling trend that has been observed in the first three months of this year, with numerous consumer warnings and recalls for products tainted with lead, including children’s toys and jewelry.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emphasizes the importance of vigilance when purchasing medicines and health remedies online. Their guidance includes ensuring online pharmacies require a doctor’s prescription, provide a U.S. physical address and telephone number, have a licensed pharmacist on staff, and are licensed by a state board of pharmacy. Conversely, signs of 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 prices.
The CDC has documented lead’s presence in products beyond paint, including toys, jewelry, candies, and traditional home remedies imported from countries like Vietnam, India, and Syria. Advocacy groups have raised alarms, with a study by Pure Earth finding excessive lead levels in 18% of over 5,000 consumer and food products from 25 countries. “Lead pollution knows no boundaries,” stated Richard Fuller, president of Pure Earth, underscoring the global challenge of addressing lead contamination.
The health implications of lead exposure are profound, with long-term exposure linked to developmental problems in children, brain damage, and a host of adult health issues such as kidney dysfunction and hypertension. Most people do not exhibit immediate symptoms, making lead poisoning particularly insidious.