Just in case you use, or were thinking of using kohl........DON'T!

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Posted by Catherine Cartwright-Jones on February 23, 2005 at 14:42:14:

I was doing a research run on kohl today, working up an article for
harquus.

Just in case you thought kohl was safe, sexy and had to be good
because it was traditional, and someone told you it was safe: NuhHuh.
Ignorance is NOT bliss. Ignorance can lead to brain damage. Read
the abstracts of five published medical journal articles:

1:

Kohl (surma): a toxic traditional eye cosmetic study in Saudi Arabia.
By: Al-Ashban, R.M.; Aslam, M.; Shah, A.H.. Public Health, Jun2004,
Vol. 118 Issue 4, p292, 7p, 3 charts, 2bw; (AN 13383334)

The use of kohl (surma) as eyeliner is a popular practice in Saudi
Arabia and people firmly believe that it is safe to use. A total of
107 kohl samples (branded and unbranded) were collected from different
regions of Saudi Arabia, and analysed for the presence of read. In
addition, aluminium and antimony revels were also determined. Lead
revels up to 53% were detected in some kohl preparations, and some
samples were found to contain camphor and menthol. The blood analyses
of regular kohl users revealed a high lead concentration and
relatively low haemoglobin levels. Due to the hearth risk, an official
public awareness campaign is suggested to encourage the use of
lead-free kohl.

1The School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Nottingham,
Nottingham, UK
2Central Laboratory for Drug & Food Analysis, Ministry of Health,
Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaISSN:0033-3506Accession Number:13383334


2:

Composition of eye cosmetics (kohls) used in Cairo. By: Hardy, Andrew
D.; Walton, Richard I.; Vaishnav, Ragini. International Journal of
Environmental Health Research, Feb2004, Vol. 14 Issue 1, p83, 9p; DOI:
10.1080/09603120310001633859; (AN 11622297)

A total of 18 kohl samples were analysed using X-ray powder
diffraction (XRPD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All the
samples were purchased in Cairo and eleven of them originated in
Egypt. The main component of six samples was found to be galena (PbS);
where four of these samples originated in Egypt and two in India. For
a further ten samples the main component was found to be one of the
following: amorphous carbon, calcite (CaCO 3 ), cuprite (Cu 2 O),
goethite (FeO(OH)), elemental silicon or talc (Mg 3 Si 4 O 10 (OH) 2
). For the last two samples the main component of each was an unknown
amorphous organic compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]


3:

Childhood Lead Poisoning Through Kohl. By: Mojdehi, Goli M.; Gurtner,
Jan. American Journal of Public Health, Apr96, Vol. 86 Issue 4, p587,
2p; (AN 9605102355)


The article examines the role of kohl as a source of lead poisoning
among Middle Eastern children. Of the population surveyed, 85 percent
were from the Middle East, India, and Pakistan, and 15 percent were
from Africa. Women who had not used kohl on their babies were asked to
make assumptions about the use of this product on babies. Women
usually gave several explanations as to why they used this product.
Not only did kohl usage have a cosmetic value for these women, it
usually also carried a deeper significance. Some attached traditional
values, others medicinal or health values, and also religious
significance to the use of this product. Cleaning the eyes, reducing
soreness or redness of the eye, and increasing visual acuity were
cited as health or medicinal benefits. Fifty-seven percent of the
women were not aware of the danger of kohl lead poisoning and only
37.5 percent knew that kohl contained lead. Women did not know that
lead crosses the placenta and that pregnant women wearing kohl can
expose their infants to the danger of kohl lead poisoning.


4:

Surma and lead poisoning. By: Ali, Aulfat R.; Smales, Oliver R.C.;
Aslam, Mohamed. BMJ: British Medical Journal, 9/30/78, Vol. 2 Issue
6142, p915, 2p, 2 charts, 1bw; (AN 4929178)

Examines the toxic effect of surma. Use of surma for the treatment of
conjunctivitis; Measurement of blood lead concentration after
treatment; Occurrence of lead encephalopathy after treatment.


5:

Factors associated with elevated blood lead concentrations in children
in Karachi, Pakistan. By: Rahbar, Mohammad Hossein; White,, Franklin;
Agboatwalla, Mubina; Hozhabri, Siroos; Luby, Stephen. Bulletin of the
World Health Organization, 2002, Vol. 80 Issue 10, p769, 7p, 3 charts;
(AN 7683506)

Objectives To confirm whether blood lead concentrations in Karachi
were as high as reported in 1989 and to identify which types of
exposure to lead contribute most to elevated blood lead concentrations
in children in Karachi. Methods A total of 430 children aged 36–60
months were selected through a geographically stratified design from
the city centre, two suburbs, a rural community and an island situated
within the harbour at Karachi. Blood samples were collected from
children and a pretested questionnaire was administered to assess the
effect of various types of exposure. Cooked food, drinking-water and
house dust samples were collected from households. Findings About 80%
of children had blood lead concentrations >10µg/dl, with an overall
mean of 15.6µg/dl. At the 5% level of significance, houses nearer to
the main intersection in the city centre, application of surma to
children's eyes, father's exposure to lead at workplace, parents'
illiteracy and child's habit of hand-to-mouth activity were among
variables associated with elevated lead concentrations in blood.
Conclusion These findings are of public health concern, as most
children in Karachi are likely to suffer some degree of intellectual
impairment as a result of environmental lead exposure. We believe that
there is enough evidence of the continuing problem of lead in petrol
to prompt the petroleum industry to take action. The evidence also
shows the need for appropriate interventions in reducing the burden
due to other factors associated with this toxic element. [ABSTRACT
FROM AUTHOR]

If you need to pass this on to someone, I'll have it written up in
harquus.com and the encyclopedia of henna shortly, or send them the
link to this post. Firsthand citations of medical journal articles
has a useful level of credability.

 

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