Turmeric Supplements (Lead)

Bulk or imported turmeric powder and capsules.

53Moderate burden · out of 100

Cleaner swapBuy turmeric from brands that publish heavy-metal testing

How this score is built

100Start
72.4Chemical hazard 6 × 4.6−27.6
65.6Everyday exposure 2 × 3.4−6.8
53Persistence 5 × 2.6−13, then rounded to 53
ModerateThe band53 sits in 40–59.

What each input rests on

The three ratings behind the score, and the studies each rests on
Input	Rating	Evidence
Chemical hazard	6/10	unsourced input
Everyday exposure	2/10	Across Bangladesh's turmeric supply chain, lead chromate pigment adulteration was found in 7 of the 9 major producing districts, with turmeric powder reaching 1,152 µg/g lead. Turmeric means "yellow" in Bengali: Lead chromate pigments added to turmeric threaten public health across Bangladesh · Environ Res 2019 DOI 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108722 · PMID 31550596 · Abstract · read 2026-10-09
Persistence	5/10	unsourced input

Ratings are editorial. A study listed here supports the rating; it did not compute it. How the index is built

What this means for you

The chemical-hazard rating is what drives the score down. Some turmeric has been adulterated with lead-based colourant to brighten it, a documented source of lead exposure. Third-party-tested brands avoid the problem.

Evidence strength: moderate

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