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Health protection

Important Information about imported kohl, kajal and surma products KEY POINTS 1. Some people have become sick from using traditional Hashmi brand eye cosmetics. These cosmetics have been tested and found to have high levels of lead. 2. Lead is a dangerous metal. Even small amounts can make people sick, especially children. 3. Please do not use these eyeliners. Please see a doctor if you or your child has been using these cosmetics and you are worried about lead.

What is kohl, kajal and surma? Kohl, kajal and surma are eye cosmetics imported from India, Pakistan, Africa and the Middle East. Some of these products contain lead. Some people using these products have become sick due to lead poisoning. Why is lead dangerous?

Managing Acute Respiratory Infections outbreaks in aged care The Public Health Unit (PHU) continues to support local Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) to manage acute respiratory illness outbreaks (caused by COVID-19 and other non-COVID-19 pathogens), as well as other sensitive settings (disability/group homes) that require support.

Lead is poisonous. Even small amounts can be dangerous. Lead can damage the brain, nervous system, reproductive system, kidneys and other parts of the body. Children and pregnant women who use products containing lead are especially at risk. If a child is exposed to lead in their mother’s womb or from a young age they can have lifelong problems with learning, growth, school performance and behaviour. How does lead from kohl, kajal or surma get into the body? When a person uses these products, some of the powder or liquid, with the lead, can get onto the hands. The person can then swallow the lead after touching their food or putting their hands in their mouths. Lead can also be absorbed through the eyes.

Which types of kohl, kajal and surma contain lead?

There are many types of kohl, kajal and surma and any of these products could contain lead. Recently, the following products were found to contain high levels of lead:

1 8 environmental investigations completed for children with notified high lead levels.

 Hashmi Surmi Special, made in Pakistan  Hashmi Kohl Aswad, made in Pakistan

These products were being sold in local grocery stores in western Sydney. Store owners have been advised to remove the products from their shelves, and not to sell them.

From 1 August 2021- 1 August 2022, PHU has managed a total of 195 COVID-19 outbreaks in 65 RACFs, comprising: 2,612 COVID-positive residents 1,613 COVID-positive staff 228 COVID-related hospitalisations 100 COVID-related deaths.

Lead exposure investigations

For children under 16 years, lead exposure is a notifiable condition, identified through a blood test showing excess lead level. When a notification is received, our Environmental Health team conducts an exposure assessment of the child’s environment. During 2022, we received eight notifications of children with high lead levels. Cases were investigated, with a variety of lead sources identified and removed. These included kajal/kohl eyeliner, Ayurvedic remedies, chipping lead paint, contaminated soil. Once the source of lead exposure was removed, the childrens’ lead levels gradually reduced and improved.

Online support webinars for RACF leaders and staff commenced in April 2020 to provide support and education during the COVID-19 pandemic. In July 2022 WentWest assumed faciliation of the webinars with our Public Health Unit providing an update at each session.

Webinar attendance averaged 30-40% of 65 RACFs.

Infectious Diseases Network Our Public Health Unit engaged with the state-wide Infectious Disease Network through monthly network meetings, presentation of overseas acquired infectious diseases data (in October 2022) and contribution to a ‘Communicating and working with Priority Populations’ workshop in partnership with WSLHD Multicultural Health (MH), in November 2022.

WSLHD Conference presenters, L-R: Fouzia Hamdard (MH), Dipti Zachariah (MH), Makeleta Felila (CPH), Dr Ben Silberberg (CPH), Monika Latanik (MH).

Dipti Zachariah (MH) presenting at the Infectious Diseases Network conference.

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WSLHD Centre for Population Health