The case of the healing bracelet

Homeopathic "healing bracelet" poisoned child with lead

alizar, Geektimes

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published an information message concerning a children's "homeopathic magnetic healing bracelet with hematite" handmade. A routine examination of a 9-month–old girl from Manchester (Connecticut) revealed that she has normocytic anemia, a blood disease characterized by a reduced level of hemoglobin and red blood cells, as well as a high level of lead in the blood of 41 mcg/dl (micrograms per deciliter) with a norm of no more than 5 mcg/ dl.

Specialists conducted an epidemiological investigation to identify the source of lead. The girl was constantly in the house built in 1926. Experts found two windows in the room with peeling paint containing lead, but the health department decided that this paint could hardly be a source of poisoning, because the areas of exfoliation are inaccessible to a 9-month-old child. In addition, three brothers and sisters aged 3-5 years had a blood lead level of less than 3 micrograms/dl.

The investigation had to be continued.

At one of the interviews, the parents mentioned that they periodically put on the child a "homeopathic magnetic healing bracelet with hematite", which they bought from a craftsman at a local fair. The girl was put on a bracelet when she was teething, and sometimes parents noticed that the child was chewing the bracelet.

The healing and magical properties of hematite stone (bloodstone) are described on hundreds of homeopathic sites. It says that this magic stone "has long been used for blood diseases, wounds, cuts, injuries and fractures. Hematite has the main effect on blood hemoglobin and promotes better oxygen uptake by tissues and enzyme systems of the body." Wearing a stone supposedly has a good effect on the composition of hemoglobin itself, "allows oxygen to form a bond with this important blood protein with less energy consumption for the body and prolongs the life of red blood cells." In addition, hematite supposedly stimulates the work of the red bone marrow, increasing the number and improving the quality of the formation of red blood cells. Ironically, the sick girl was just found to have anemia – a decrease in the number of red blood cells

Specialists immediately took the bracelet for examination. Small ball pads were found on it (see photo), which showed a positive result for lead (17,000 ppm, that is, 1.7% lead content).

The girl was poisoned when she bit and chewed these metal balls. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention notes that traditionally the main sources of lead poisoning are lead-containing paint, dust and contaminated soil, but occasionally there are unusual sources, as in this case. Previous cases of lead poisoning through children's amulets and jewelry were reported in 2003 and 2006. In those cases, the incidents resulted in a large-scale recall of goods. In one case, 150 million (!) copies of imported toy jewelry (probably from China), which were sold through vending machines, were recalled.

In 2010, the CDC set the maximum lead content in products that are manufactured and advertised for children at 100 ppm (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008).

The CDC staff could not find the master who made the bracelet, as well as determine the number of bracelets that he sold to the public.

Unfortunately, the problem of low-quality and artisanal production and the belief in homeopathy are peculiar not only to Americans. Even in Russia – the most reading country in the world – many people believe in this pseudoscience. It is especially dangerous when homemade amulets and talismans are given to children, because in this case the harm to health can be especially great. Toddlers of an early age can even swallow a small product or bite it if they are teething. A 4-year-old boy from Minnesota, who swallowed a heart-shaped metal talisman in 2006, had a lead level of 180 micrograms/dl in his blood.

Unfortunately, it was not possible to save him: the boy died on the fourth day after hospitalization.

Doctors warn of the potential danger of children wearing any metal jewelry that may contain lead. They also remind you that when a child's teeth erupt, he does not need medical care or special metal jewelry. The CDC recommends gum massage, special chewing rings or tissue flaps of such size that the child cannot swallow them.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru  04.09.2017