Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: June 30, 2003
Contact: Robert J. Marshall, Ph.D. 401-222-1017

HEALTH ALERT

HEALTH Warns RI Residents about Use of "LITARGIRIO" ;Traditional Remedy Contains Dangerous Levels of Lead

Today the RI Department of Health (HEALTH) warned the public not to use LITARGIRO (pronounced "lee-tar-heario"), a yellow or peach-colored powder manufactured by Roldan, Ferreira and other laboratories in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The powder, used as a traditional remedy, particularly by people from that country, contains nearly 80 per cent lead—a toxic substance that can cause permanent neurological damage in children.

HEALTH first learned about this product in connection with a child undergoing treatment for lead poisoning. The lead in the child’s blood continued to climb, up to more than four times the allowable level, even after abating household sources and providing medical treatment. When health officials looked for other sources of lead, they discovered that the family used LITARGIRIO as a childhood anti-perspirant/deodorant. Consumers also use the product as a traditional remedy for treating fungus on the feet and for burns.

HEALTH staff easily purchased several packages of the product in local convenience and specialty stories catering to Spanish-speaking customers—particularly those from the Dominican Republic.