There are many people aware of the most famous sources of lead poisoning, including lead poisoning found in paint or gasoline, but there are many sources that are not aware by many people and can be easily avoided once they are known. An example of these sources is kohl, which is the cosmetic product used to beautify the eyes.
What are the components of eyeliner?
Kohl contains a large percentage of lead, as the lead content in a kohl sample may reach more than half its weight, and lead is often in the form of lead sulfide. Kohl also contains a group of other substances, including aluminum, antimony, carbon, iron, and zinc, in addition to camphor and menthol.
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What are the effects of lead poisoning?
The risks resulting from exposure to lead are especially serious for children, who are more susceptible to lead poisoning than others. Effects resulting from exposure to high levels of lead include:
Anemia.
Hypertension
Kidney disease.
Neurological diseases, including epilepsy and coma.
Exposure to low levels of lead for long periods may lead to developmental disorders and behavioral difficulties in learning in children.
Is kohl linked to increased lead levels in children?
Recently, a study was conducted on the relationship between kohl and lead poisoning in children. The study showed that children who are exposed to kohl have a high percentage of lead in their blood, and this percentage makes them vulnerable to symptoms of lead poisoning.
How are children exposed to kohl?
Children are exposed to kohl in many forms. In some peoples, kohl is applied to the eyes of newborn babies, and there are practices of dyeing an infant’s hair with kohl in the name of thickening the hair. It is possible that lead may be transmitted to the infant through breastfeeding as a result of the mother’s use of kohl, which may increase the level of lead in her blood.
How do we avoid developing symptoms of lead poisoning resulting from using eyeliner?
· Do not use kohl on children.
· Legalizing the use of kohl to beautify the eyes.
· Use other alternatives that do not contain lead.
· Do not use kohl during pregnancy.