By Aftab Kazmi, Bureau Chief
Kohl, a traditional eye make-up, could pose a severe health risk to infants as experts say it contains lead, a poisonous metal.
Most mothers use kohl to beautify their infants? eyes but have little or no knowledge that it usually consists of antimony sulphide or lead sulphide, said a team of researchers at the UAE University (UAEU). The researchers have suggested a ban on the import of substances containing lead, saying the substance has been resulting in the slow poisoning of infants.
Behavioural disorders
Kohl is widely used as a traditional cosmetic in the Arab world to darken the eyelids.
“Some types of kohl contain lead in amounts associated with behavioural disorders, lowered intelligence, and poor school performance,” said the researchers. The study found a high frequency of 67 per cent of kohl use on babies in Al Ain.
It also revealed the application of kohl is significantly higher among UAE nationals.
The research, published by the Research Affairs Sector of the UAEU, was aimed at preventing lead poisoning in infants.
“It is observed that children and pregnant women are a particularly high risk group because of their greater sensitivity to lead?s toxic effects,” said the researchers.
“It has been found that chronic exposure to low levels of lead may result in mental deterioration, lowered intelligence quotients, learning disabilities, slowed growth, impaired hearing, and behavioural abnormalities,” said the report.
The researchers conducted a cross-sectional survey of all mothers admitted in antenatal and postnatal wards in three obstetric hospitals in Al Ain. A total of 15 mothers were interviewed, out of which 48 per cent were nationals.
Some 67 per cent confirmed the use of kohl on their babies and 46 per cent applied it during the first and the seventh days after birth. Half of the mothers were found to be aware of the contents of kohl. “Although 51 per cent believed there is a risk with kohl, they still used it,” said the report.
Manufacturer’s view: ‘Our products contain herbs and minerals and keep eyes healthy’
Some popular kohl products in the UAE do not list the ratio of lead on packs.
Some of them do not even mention the ingredients. These products are imported from the subcontinent.
The manufacturers of a popular kohl said their products had been used for many decades. The say they contain amorphous black silver leaves, zinc oxide, ruby, emerald, turquoise, pearls, coral, coral reef, and herbs like mumeera, saffron, neem and chaksoo. These herbs and minerals have medicinal properties that keep the eyes healthy, they say. The retailers of kohl products in Al Ain said it was the first time they had heard about the risks associated with kohl.
“Nobody has ever complained to us,” said Mohammad Imran, a Bangladeshi shopkeeper.
A Ministry of Health official said lead was a poisonous metal that gradually accumulates in the human body, affecting different systems.
Any kohl product that does not specify its lead ratio could be a source of such poisoning, particularly with repeated or excessive use.
The official said kohl normally contained different materials but was commonly thought to consist of antimony compounds that contain significant amounts of lead. There is no system to monitor the lead ratio of kohl products in the country.