Lead poisoning - a salutory tale

In July 2000 a 54 year old Norwegian previously healthy woman sought medical attention after two weeks of lethargy, nausea and vomiting, abdominal and throat pain and weight loss. The primary doctor detected anaemia. Her condition was considered serious, and in October the woman was admitted to the haematology department at Trondheim Regional Hospital where Dr Tore Amundsen established by inspecting her red blood cells that she had been poisoned by lead.

July 2000, Norway

After quite some investigation (family history, diet, water, travels, use of paint (art and house), jewlery) the source of the lead poisoning was found to be a pottery jug purchased on the island of Samos, Greece. The woman had been drinking red wine stored in it since June of that year. She kept the jug in continuous use with red wine in it, drinking from it every night. The inside of the jug had a deep blue glaze that was clearly eroded by the acidic red wine, corresponding exactly to the level of wine in it. The pottery jug was analysed by the Geological Survey of Norway, Trondheim, and it turned out that the glaze was strongly leaded The full medical report can be seen here ... Lead poisoning - a case report She survived after Chelation therapy. Her haemoglobin level returned to normal and she returned to work after nine months