FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 28, 2015
Contact:  Scott Salotto (845) 638-5645
                Patricia Schnabel Ruppert, DO, FAAFP (845) 364-2512

HEALTH DEPARTMENT ADVISES COUNTY RESIDENTS TO AVOID CERTAIN AYURVEDIC MEDICATIONS

Medications made in India by Shree Baidyanath have been found to contain high levels of lead, arsenic and mercury

NEW CITY, NY --  Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert warn that several medications distributed by Shree Baidyanath were recently found to contain heavy metals, which may be harmful to your health. The Rockland County Department of Health is taking steps to alert physicians and retail stores of the toxic products.

In May 2015, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene found elevated levels of arsenic, lead, and/or mercury in 20 samples of Ayurvedic medications purchased over the counter in NYC. The levels of heavy metals found in these medications manufactured in India by Shree Baidyanath ranged from being slightly elevated to as high as 27,000 times the limit allowed.

A list of products describing which pills/tablets are being sold and the amount of heavy metals they have can be found in attached list. The way scientists measure the amount of metal in a product is in ppm (parts per million).  In order for a product to be safe there must be less than 3 ppm of arsenic, 2 ppm of lead, and 1 ppm of mercury.  Each of the products listed have more than a safe amount and are not safe for human use.

"If you have been using these products you should stop taking them immediately," says Dr. Ruppert.  "Talk with your doctor to find out if you should have tests for exposure to lead and other heavy metals".