Studies have ascertained that kohl is a major source of lead exposure in children
LAHORE: Applying kohl in children’s eyes is a well-established tradition in Pakistan. It is considered healthy, as people believe it enhances vision, beauty, protects from eye infections and evil. But it has serious repercussions.
Lead is used in the preparation of kohl, added as a colour additive along with smooth application characteristics. However, it is harmful for humans, especially children as their brains are most susceptible to lead poisoning. The metal’s neurotoxic nature can result in stunted or delayed mental development, which consequently affects learning ability. Other symptoms include headache, depression, nervousness, hypertension, body pain and speech disabilities that badly affects a child’s IQ, sometimes leading to death.
The substance enters the body through hand-to-mouth activities. Children are used to rubbing their eyes, licking and sucking fingers. This provides lead a suitable path of travelling easily from hands to the digestive tract and then to the blood.
Studies have ascertained that kohl is a major source of lead exposure in children and the US Food Development Authority has restricted the concentration of lead to less than 20mg/l in cosmetic products. According to a study published in the Journal of Medical Association of Pakistan in 1988, there is more than 65 per cent of lead in eye cosmetics. The amount of lead in local kohl ranges from 16 to 80 per cent but the concentration of lead available in Pakistani ranges from 0.03 to 81.37 per cent.
There is a dire need to create awareness about the perilous and damaging effects of these cosmetics. The authorities concerned should take stringent measures in order to impose a ban on such traditional cosmetics and introduce harmless substitutes.
Saleha Mahmood
Published in The Express Tribune, July 6th, 2017.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
