NDA lab oratory staff tests for lead i n imported spi ces
Families can be exposed to lead from various sources, including paint, dust, soil, lead service water pipes, and food products, such as spices. Lead ingestion is particularly harmful to children.To better address lead risks in spices, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is partnering with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS) and local health departments to collect and analyze spice samples, aiming to identify potential exposures to children and families.
A growing number of lead poisoning cases in Nebraska can be traced to spices as the primary source of exposure. Some of these spices are brought into the U.S. by new immigrant and refugee families, while others are available at local ethnic stores. NDA’s Laboratory has started testing potentially contaminated samples collected during lead poisoning environmental investigations.
