The foundation said it received a total of 167 samples of Chinese herbal medicines from consumers in February, June and October last year to be tested for Western medicine or heavy metal content.

The results of the tests showed that 22 of 150 samples were adulterated with Western medicine elements, while 71 of the 167 samples totally were found to contain lead, 61 contained mercury, and 40 contained cadmium, according to the foundation.

Martial arts studios around the country were the primary source of Chinese herbal treatments adulterated with Western medicine, with four out six samples from those establishments found to contain the elements.