A review of lead contamination in various Surma products available in the Iranian market

Vafaeipour, Zeinab; Akbari Adergani, Behrouz

Volume 16, Issue 3 (Volume 16, No 3 2025) jdc 2025, 16(3): 181-196 | Back to browse issues page

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Vafaeipour Z, Akbari Adergani B. A review of lead contamination in various Surma products available in the Iranian market. jdc 2025; 16 (3) :181-196
URL: http://jdc.tums.ac.ir/article-1-5811-en.html

A review of lead contamination in various Surma products available in the Iranian market

Zeinab Vafaeipour¹

, Behrouz Akbari Adergani ^*²

1- Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
2- Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran , analystchemist@yahoo.com

Abstract: (512 Views)

Cosmetic products used around the eyes, such as kohl, eyeliner, eye pencil, mascara, and eyeshadow are of particular importance due to the sensitivity of the eyes and the potential for contamination. Among these, kohl is a traditional product widely used in Middle Eastern countries, especially among infants, based on the belief in its therapeutic and protective properties. However, kohl has been reported to contain the highest concentration of lead among these products. This study aimed to assess the lead content in different types of kohl, which is an important step toward raising awareness among consumers of this cosmetic-hygienic product. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate studies published in recent years that investigated the lead content of kohls available on the Iranian market. To achieve this, a comprehensive search was conducted in national and international databases including Pubmed, Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar using relevant keywords. Findings indicate that in some cases, the concentration of lead in tradithinal or handmade kohls greatly exceeded the permissible limits. Repeated or prolonged use particularly in children can lead to elevated blood lead levels and symptoms of lead poisoning. Considering the health risks associated with this product, stricter monitoring of its production and distribution, as well as public education regarding the safe use of kohl, appears to be essential.

Keywords: cosmetics products, eye, surma, kohl, lead, heavy metals, traditional medicine

Full-Text [PDF 696 kb] (142 Downloads)

Type of Study: Review | Subject: General