Dietary Supplement Sold in City Found to Have High Levels of Lead and Mercury

An over-the-counter dietary supplement sold here in the city has been found to have elevated levels of lead and mercury.

The city's Department of Health said Wednesday that the supplement called "Emperor's Tea Pill," manufactured in China, has 200 times the permissible limit of lead and mercury.

Officials warned that the exposure to lead can damage the brain, kidneys, and nervous system.

The health department said it sent alerts to health care providers to test patients who reported using the pill.

For more information on the supplement, you can call the city poison control center at 212-POISONS.