ABSTRACT
A total of 23 kohl samples was analyzed using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Nineteen samples were obtained in Abu Dhabi and four in Dubai. None of the samples were made in the United Arab Emirates. The main component of 11 samples was found to be galena (PbS). For the remaining 12 samples, the main component was found to be one of the following: amorphous carbon, zincite (ZnO), sassolite (H(3)BO(3)) or calcite/aragonite (CaCO(3)).
Subject(s)
Cosmetics/chemistry , Lead/chemistry , Sulfides/chemistry , Cosmetics/toxicity , Electron Probe Microanalysis , Humans , Lead/toxicity , Lead Poisoning/prevention & control , Product Packaging/standards , Sulfides/toxicity , United Arab Emirates , X-Ray DiffractionABSTRACT
A total of 47 kohl samples, primarily used as traditional eye cosmetics, were analyzed using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that, of the 18 Omani-made kohls, the main component of five was galena (PbS). Of the other 13, 12 were based on amorphous carbon and one on hematite (Fe2O3). The remaining samples were made in other countries and were found to contain one of the following as the main component: galena, minium (Pb3O4), amorphous carbon, magnetite (Fe3O4), zincite (ZnO), calcite (CaCO3) or sassolite (H3BO3).
Subject(s)
Cosmetics/chemistry , Eye , Lead/analysis , Sulfides/analysis , Carbon/analysis , Cosmetics/analysis , Ferric Compounds/analysis , Ferrosoferric Oxide , Iron/analysis , Oman , Oxides/analysis , Zinc Oxide/analysisABSTRACT
A brick red powder, used by a 'native physician' (a practitioner of traditional medicine in Oman) to treat a female patient for vitiligo, has been analysed by X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (S.E.M.). It was found to be a mixture of cinnabar (HgS) and calomel (Hg2Cl2). Symptoms of acute mercury poisoning resulted from the patient repeatedly breathing in elemental mercury vapour after this brick red powder and elemental mercury encased in a lime, were thrown on an open fire in a closed room. The patient also presented with central nervous system toxicity which improved gradually after treatment with Dimercaprol was discontinued. The use of mercurials as traditional medicines in Oman is briefly reviewed; as is the variation in literature values for 'normal'/'abnormal'/toxic levels of mercury in human blood.
