Lead exposure from glazed ceramics cookware and home remedies in an indigenous migrant community, Baja California, Mexico, 2005-2007

The objective of this study was to assess exposure to lead from glazed ceramic and home remedies, and awareness of the health effects of lead in indigenous migrant community in Baja California, Mexico. As part of VIIDAI, a total of 134 households were randomly selected from the community. Data were collected through household interviews during 2005-2007. Frequency of use of lead-glazed ceramics, knowledge and awareness of lead and its associations with lead glazed ceramics, and knowledge and use of lead-based home remedies (azarcon and greta) were assessed. In addition, a pilot intervention introducing lead-safe cookware into the community was implemented and evaluated. Ninety percent of the participants reported having used ceramic cookware while growing up and 41% of them currently used ceramic cookware. Seventy-two percent of the population had knowledge of lead causing disease, 60% had knowledge of ceramics containing lead. Ninety-one percent of those using ceramic cookware would be willing to trade their pots for lead-safe cookware. There was no evidence of any use of lead-based home remedies (azarcon and greta) in the community. There was a significant and long history of use of lead glazed ceramics in the community. Lead-safe alternative cookware was accepted by the participants indicating that cultural ties to the ceramics would not obstruct future interventions targeting cookware substitution.