Clinical Pharmacist and Master’s student in Clinical Pharmacy with research interests in pharmacovigilance, behavioral interventions in mental health, and AI applications in clinical decision support. Experience includes digital health research with Bloomsbury Health (London) and pharmacovigilance practice in patient support programs. Published work covers drug awareness among healthcare providers, postpartum depression management, and patient safety reporting. 
Clinical Pharmacist and Master’s student in Clinical Pharmacy with research interests in pharmacovigilance, behavioral interventions in mental health, and AI applications in clinical decision support. Experience includes digital health research with Bloomsbury Health (London) and pharmacovigilance practice in patient support programs. Published work covers drug awareness among healthcare providers, postpartum depression management, and patient safety reporting. What was studied?
The focus keyphrase “lead content in traditional kohl cosmetics” is central to this original research article, which systematically investigated the extent and significance of lead present in kohl, a traditional eye makeup widely used throughout Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The study aimed to determine whether kohl constitutes a significant source of lead exposure, particularly in first-world nations where immigrant communities continue this cultural practice. Researchers purchased and analyzed 22 samples of kohl from various urban centers on several continents, including locations in Morocco, Mauritania, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The lead content was quantified using plasma emission spectrography, and samples were also tested for antimony. This research sought to clarify the chemical composition of kohl, challenge the common belief that it primarily contains antimony, and identify the public health risks posed by high lead concentrations in these products—especially in violation of existing regulations.
Who was studied?
This study did not involve human or animal subjects but instead focused on commercially available kohl products sourced from retail environments catering to both local and immigrant populations. The sampled products were obtained from souks in Morocco and Mauritania, as well as ethnic stores in London, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and New York City that serve Asian, Middle Eastern, and African communities. The origins of these samples varied, including products manufactured in Pakistan, India, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and other unspecified locations. Importantly, the study highlighted the continued availability and use of these products among immigrant populations in Western nations, alongside their widespread use in their countries of origin. The implications extend to millions of users globally, with a particular focus on children and infants, as some products were explicitly marketed for baby use.
Most important findings
| Critical Points | Details |
|---|---|
| High Lead Content | Of 22 kohl samples analyzed, 7 contained over 50% lead, 5 had more than 20%, and only 9 had less than 0.6%. The highest lead content reached nearly 70%. |
| Widespread Availability | High-lead kohl was found not only in third-world locations but also in Western cities (London, Detroit, New York), indicating unrestricted import and sale despite regulations. |
| No Ingredient Labeling | None of the tested kohl samples included ingredient lists or warnings, making it impossible for consumers to distinguish hazardous products without laboratory analysis. |
| Antimony Not Common | Contrary to common belief, antimony was found only in trace amounts (<0.1%) in all samples, while lead was the predominant toxicant. |
| Targeting Vulnerable Populations | Some high-lead kohl products were labeled as safe for infants or specially formulated for babies, compounding risks for the most vulnerable. |
| Regulatory Violations | The sale of lead-containing cosmetics violates laws in both Great Britain and the United States, yet enforcement is weak due to the volume of imports and lack of awareness. |
| Cultural Persistence | Despite educational campaigns and legal prohibitions, traditional practices and market demand maintain the presence of hazardous kohl in immigrant communities. |
| Exposure Pathways | The primary route of lead ingestion is alimentary, especially in children who touch their eyes with kohl and then put their fingers in their mouths. |
| Documented Health Impact | Past case studies link kohl use to lead poisoning (plumbism), particularly in infants, sometimes resulting in fatalities or long-term cognitive impairment. |
| Global Public Health Concern | The study raises the possibility that subclinical lead poisoning from kohl may contribute to declining cognitive abilities and unexplained infant mortality in developing countries. |
Key implications
This research demonstrates that lead content in traditional kohl cosmetics poses a significant, unregulated health risk to global populations, especially vulnerable groups such as children. Effective heavy metal certification and enforcement programs are urgently needed to prevent hazardous exposures through imported cosmetics, while education must address cultural practices and product mislabeling.
Citation
Parry, C., & Eaton, J. (1991). Kohl: A Lead-Hazardous Eye Makeup from the Third World to the First World. Environmental Health Perspectives, 94, 121-123.
Lead is a neurotoxic heavy metal with no safe exposure level. It contaminates food, consumer goods and drinking water, causing cognitive deficits, birth defects and cardiovascular disease. HMTC’s rigorous lead testing applies ALARA principles to protect infants and consumers and to prepare brands for tightening regulations.
