[Use of kohl and severe lead poisoning in Brussels].

Abstract

The authors report the observation of lead poisoning in a young Moroccan woman, which was caused by prolonged use of a khol made of lead sulphide. Khol is a black eye make-up used since Ancient Egypt. Clinically, this poisoning presented with abdominal crampoid pain, encephalopathy (manifested as anxiety and irritability), a Burtonian gingival border and microcytic sideropenic anaemia. Emergency chelate treatment permitted to improve clinical state and to decrease blood levels (initial blood concentration: 490 micrograms/dl; concentration six weeks after treatment: 49 micrograms/dl). The interest of such a case is recognizing, in French speaking regions, of a public health problem, largely ignored, although real, considering the high lead concentrations found in a majority of kohls available in Brussels and this very old cultural practice among Muslim populations.

• Authors: M Bruyneel, J P De Caluwé, J M des Grottes, F Collart
• Journal: Revue medicale de Bruxelles (Rev Med Brux) Vol. 23 Issue 6 Pg. 519-22 (Dec 2002) ISSN: 0035-3639 [Print] Belgium
• Vernacular Title: Usage de khôl et intoxication saturnine grave à Bruxelles.
• PMID: 12584949 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cosmetics
• Sulfides
• lead sulfide
• Lead

Topics

• Adult
• Belgium
• Cosmetics (poisoning)
• Female
• Humans
• Lead
• Lead Poisoning (etiology)
• Severity of Illness Index
• Sulfides (poisoning)