Lead toxicity in humans from contaminated flour in Albania

In April 1997, a severe lead poisoning in humans was reported in rural Albania and a 30-y-old male and a 17-y-old female died. Twenty-three persons exhibiting signs of lead intoxication recovered following intensive EDTA-Ca chelation therapy. The poisoning resulted from lead contaminated flour originating from repair of a mill's cracked grindstone with metallic lead. Lead levels in flour samples averaged 325 +/- 18 ppm and in bran were 370 +/- 22 ppm. Blood lead levels in intoxicated individuals averaged 0.42 +/- 0.05 ppm and were compatible with their symptomatic status. Contaminated bran from the same mill was fed to lactating cows as well. Lead levels in blood and milk of exposed cows averaged 0.27 +/- 0.06 and 0.61 +/- 0.04 ppm, respectively.