Greta and Azarcon: a survey of episodic lead poisoning from a folk remedy.

Abstract

This paper reports on the use of two lead compounds, greta (PbO) and azarcon (Pb3O4) currently being used as folk remedies in Mexican-American communities. These compounds have produced cases of acute lead poisoning. The compounds are two of more than 100 treatments for the culture-bound syndrome empacho A survey of over 2,000 informants in 35 clinics indicates that at least one person in approximately ten percent of the participating households had been administered this remedy. A subsequent concurrent clinic and household survey demonstrated no significant difference in use by clinic populations as opposed to a community-based sample. Data are also presented on other potentially toxic substances used to treat empacho. The results of this research suggest that analysis of other ethnomedical systems should be undertaken to determine whether or not toxic substances are present in them as well.