Study urges ban on import of ‘kohl’ with lead content

AL AIN — A new study has called up on the UAE government to ban import of ‘kohl’ - a mixture of soot and other ingredients used to darken the eyelids and as mascara for the eyelashes — that contains lead.

It says the product requires labelling of all ingredients and the Ministry of Health, professionals and media should educate the public about the health hazards of using ‘kohl’ that contains lead.

Recent research has revealed that some types of ‘kohl’ contain lead in amounts associated with behavioural disorders, low intelligence and poor school performance.

The survey covered women admitted to antenatal and postnatal wards in three main obstetric clinics in the city of Al Ain in 2005, using a questionnaire.

It was conducted by Mariam M. Al Ajel, Maha M. Al Ketbi, Mariam A. Al Shehhi, and Najla Ahmed Bastaki under the supervision of Dr Peter Barss, Dr Michal Grivna, Dr Roos Bernsen, and Dr Fatma Al Maskari, Community Medicine Department, UAE University. The study has proved that use of ‘kohl’ decreased levels of intelligence.

Women unaware

The study concluded that 50 per cent of the women in Al Ain do not know the ingredients of ‘kohl’.

The study sample covered 151 mothers — 48 per cent Emirati and 52 per cent other nationalities. Sixty-seven per cent of them had used ‘kohl’ on their babies, 46 per cent had applied it in the first seven days after birth.

Although 51 per cent believed there is a risk involved, they still used it. Only 26 per cent were aware of the link between ‘kohl’ and lead poisoning and 37 per cent believed it could cause eye infection.

When asked if they would stop using ‘kohl’ if it is a health hazard, 76 per cent agreed.

The product is known as ‘kohl’, ‘surma’ or ‘kajal’ in the Indian subcontinent, Middle East, Far East and Northern Africa. Kohl comes in different preparations: powders, gels, or water-based fluid.