From the Nominator

This medical-mystery story follows Jenna Forsyth, a young environmental scientist at Stanford, as she hunts for the source of lead poisoning in pregnant women and children in rural Bangladesh. Between 24 million and 46 million children in Bangladesh have lead levels above the recommended threshold, the fourth-highest number in this age group behind India, Nigeria, and Pakistan. Lead poisoning has lifelong effects on the cognitive abilities of children, and the social and economic impacts on a country can be devastating. Using old-fashioned detective work and a novel method for identifying lead sources in blood, Forsyth and a team of Stanford scientists traced the lead poisoning to spice sellers who were mixing turmeric with yellow lead-chromate pigment to boost sales. Using these findings, Bangladeshi officials worked with the Stanford team to launch an educational campaign and market-sting operation to discourage this practice. As a result of this intervention, the incidence of adulterated spice plunged from 47% in September 2019 to no detectable lead in 2021, and blood-borne lead levels in study subjects dropped by 30%. Stanford Medicine’s method of “fingerprinting” isotopes in blood to trace heavy metals back to environmental sources was key; the method is effective, relatively inexpensive, and easy to implement around the globe. The article spurred media coverage and reached a wide online audience.

From the Judges

This piece is a standout in science writing--an extremely insightful and provocative article that tackles lead poisoning in Bangladesh. An engaging medical mystery unfolds as Stanford scientists delve into the problem, showcasing innovative solutions. Media coverage and public-health impact strengthened this entry and provided evidence for strong return on investment. The writing is well done, walking readers through complex equipment and tests in an easy-to-follow manner. The topic is incredibly important and haunting, with health implications that resonate globally.