Lead Poisoning from Folk Remedies in Mexican American Communities

The aim of the paper

The aim of this paper is to include a brief description and review of the article A Case of Lead Poisoning from Folk Remedies in Mexican American Communities written by Robert Trotter II, who was also the case study’s key researcher. The mechanism by which he arrived at the conclusion and the findings of this case study would also be explained in greater detail.

Sources of lead poisoning in the United States

In the United States, there are three known sources of lead poisoning. namely, the ingestion of lead-based paint chips, ingestion of pottery treated with lead glaze, and being near an area of high lead toxicity. The fourth cause of lead poisoning was found through two emergency cases of children who ingested lead powder in two separate forms. These forms were azarcon or lead tetroxide, and greta or lead oxide. Apparently, it was claimed in Mexican American communities that azarcon and greta were folk remedies used for the treatment of empacho, a combination of constipation and indigestion.

The researcher’s project

Initially, the researcher’s project was centered on the elimination of azarcon use in Mexican American communities of Colorado and California, without the knowledge of greta. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), though, requested for the researcher’s assistance to conduct a brief ethnographic study on greta in relation to his project on azarcon. Collection of samples and interviews were done with the owners of herb shops with regard to the use of greta and its specific effect on certain illnesses, its mode of preparation as well as the dosage given to the children. The FDA utilized the pertinent information obtained in these herb shops in order to place a Class 1 ban on greta as a toxic food additive.

Regional survey on azarcon and greta

The researcher’s discovery of greta in Texas was the starting point for his involvement on a regional survey conducted on the U.S.-Mexican border regarding azarcon and greta. This was for the purpose of determining the extent of knowledge with regard to the use of these two substances. The survey was requested by the Health and Human Services (HHS) office in Texas. Results from this survey indicated that the clinical sector used these two substances more frequently in order to treat conditions such as empacho than the majority of the population. Moreover, the Hidalgo County Health Care Corporation also requested for the researcher’s assistance in a survey to identify the extent of azarcon and greta use in local populations as compared to that of clinical populations.

The researcher’s study and its impact

The researcher’s ethnographic study became the stepping stone for a series of surveys and researches performed on azarcon and greta. When his discovery of these two lead substances became known, it gave way for the participation of the media sector for people to be completely aware of the drawbacks of the two folk remedies. His research became known not only in Mexican American communities, but also, in Saudi Arabian and Chinese communities in the country. The researcher’s study also paved the way for the involvement of anthropologists and biological scientists to solve culturally-related health conflicts such as the case of lead poisoning in these communities.

Critique

The researcher’s discovery on azarcon and greta as the primary causes of lead poisoning was one evident example of how basic researches and interviews done on specific communities can become a major scientific discovery which can be adapted in several areas of study. His research on herb shops somehow became a major project which was funded by known companies and offices.

The scientific process

The scientific process was employed in this study through the help of companies such as the FDA and the health sector. The results of his sampling and interviews on herb shops gave rise to a series of surveys and experiments in order to compare different populations and determine the extent of their knowledge and use of azarcon and greta. The results of these surveys were also verified through more extensive research and experimentation. Somehow, the scientific method, though not directly mentioned in this article, was incorporated all throughout the study. It was because one basic research eventually progressed into a major study through a step-by-step process of gathering pertinent data and collection sampling, experimentation, analysis of results, verification and evaluation.

The goal of the researcher and the various sectors involved

The ultimate goal of the researcher as well as the various sectors that helped him in his study was to reduce and eventually eliminate the use of these two folk remedies, without being a hindrance to the general development of folk medicine. The results of the different surveys conducted on azarcon and greta were eventually published and through the help of the media sector, public awareness of the health risks of these two folk remedies became possible. Two years later, the researcher’s discovery on azarcon and greta became a major contribution to anthropological research and it was proven successful since people in ethnic communities became less dependent on these two folk remedies in the treatment of digestive complications and other related disorders.

Limitations of the research

One limitation of the research mentioned in this article, though, was that not all Hispanic communities were surveyed with regard to the use of these two folk remedies. It was only restricted to some Mexican American communities in Colorado, Texas and California. As such, results of surveys conducted cannot be completely generalized for all ethnic communities in the country. It is therefore recommended that continuous research and verification be done with regard to these two folk remedies, and also, other substances used in folk medicine should also be given attention in future studies.

Conclusion

It was found that the two folk remedies mentioned in this article, namely, azarcon and greta have been found to be the causes of lead poisoning especially among children in Mexican American communities.

Importance of scientific articles

In conclusion, the scientific method was employed in order for the researcher to come up with the fourth cause of lead poisoning in the country. Generally, this article on lead poisoning can be of great help for people to be fully aware of the fact that not all folk remedies can be used for the treatment of health disorders. It is therefore necessary for people to read sufficient scientific articles such as this one in order to exercise vigilance, safety and sound judgment on the use of folk remedies.

Reference

Trotter II, R.T. A Case of Lead Poisoning from Folk Remedies in Mexican American communities, 146-159. Retrieved from http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/rtt/pdf%20format%20pubs/Trotter%201980s%20pdf%20Pubs/Lead%20P oisoning%20from%20Folk%20Remedies%20in%20Anthro%20Praxis%201987.pdf