*has read this only seconds after putting in an order for kajal*

Hrmm....

Darnit.

Okay, I was one of those who did a lot of research on Kohl in the past--in fact that 2001 article is one of the ones I read. It and many others before it kept me from using kohl. At one point, it seemed if the US tried to keep "the real stuff" from entering the US--I can't find the article that supports this at the moment, but I really do believe that its import was "discouraged".

When one of the tribe members posted the link to the Kohl Queen, I read what the site owners had to say, what was listed as ingredients in the product. Yes, there were "natural" ingredients that they did not post--made me wonder what in heck those were. (I have no doubt they are probably things that would make me freak--just like in most products I consume). But what gave me my level of comfort--and please I'm not saying don't be concerned--was this printed at on the Kohl Queen's site:

*Many customers have expressed concern about using natural kohl due to the possible lead content in some forms of kohl. We carry ONLY Hashmi kohls and kajals, which are 100% LEAD FREE and the finest all natural kohl products in the world so buy with confidence!*

So for those of us who have already put a bunch of the stuff in our eyes, maybe we can take some solace from this and decide that if we NEVER use it again that we at least haven't been dosing ourselves with lead. Again, who the hecky-dern knows what that natural product is, but at least it's not lead. Hope that helps.

Thanks, Zima, for bringing this important warning to our attention again. It is a true danger--especially when not every vendor of kohl can claim that they are lead free. It is a danger that I was aware of and should have at least presented, so that those looking to use kohl would be aware of it as well.

Kali
::who is wondering what the hecky-dern those unlisted natural products are in her kohl as well as the stuff she can't pronounce in her regular makeup::

Well, Rats! I bought several bottles in Egypt this summer, and I love the look. Guess I'll have to toss them :-(

But thanks for letting us know about the danger.

Hi !
thanks for the info, I wear traditional grey Khol everyday... I bought it in morocco, the guy told me it was 100% antimony. Do you know wether it's bad ?
thanks
aurelie

Of course I only found those articles AFTER I bought Kohl from FCBD a couple of months ago. It's labled Nyan Jyoti Surma in English but as far as I can tell that means beautiful bright eyes or somthing like that.
I went looking for application directions and found lead warnings *sighs*

Unfortunately when I emailed FCBD to ask about lead content they couldn't give me an answer. I still use it occasionally adn LOVE the effect, but have been thinking about ordering from Kohl Queen since seeing this thread.

I actually use Benefit's Kohl eyeliner and while it may not be original, it seems to work pretty well for me.

We can protect ourselves with knowledge; lead poisoning is very dangerous, highly preventable, and a serious matter. In many countries the easiest source of cheap metal is the battlefield. Be wary and note that the modern battlefield is also radioactive.

Lead poisoning causes retardation. Sometimes severe cognitive and mental disorders as well. It destroys your livers ability to function and deal with toxins. The lead content in so called "Khol" is worth the extra trouble to track down a source made out of the real antimony. Perhaps a business opportunity?

As for the lead content in jewelry, *seriously* only wear some of that stuff for photo shoots, because you take it in through your skin when you are sweaty and dancing. Then keep it for inspiration, carefully up out of childs reach. Lead is illegal in artisanal crafts in this country for a reason. These days those sorts of USDA studies are disregarded, however they represent some of the best science that was carried out on behalf of the people. Children especially gain quite a bit from being protected from lead exposure, early exposure can affect every stage of development.

If you suspect that you or your child have been exposed to lead through tribal dance items, have your doctor test your lead levels. You may have to fight to get this test done. There are modern procedures to have lead removed from your system (whatever you do ...do NOT use charcoal -type hippy crap-it can cause you to be re-exposed).

In 1986, when my daughter "Baby Apol" started dancing this was a big concern for Sage Hoban and myself. Often her clothes and jewelry were very simple, since she needed to wear pure metals or soft breathable fabrics. The tribal look can be created with local, available materials as well as a by-the-book e-bay FCBD imports look.

Most people are attracted to the Modern Tribal movement as part of an overall process of self-development and self-care. Knowing the facts about lead poisoning, I presume that most people will want to protect themselves and their children (which includes friends children teething on jewelry), by artfully displaying dangerously toxic tribal jewelry on their walls out of harms reach. Or consider primarily pieces with pure metal content.

Everyone has to live in the modern world, and Dance should be a tool which leads us further away from insanity rather than towards it. In the old days it was called "Hatter's Disease" and it was the source of the "Mad Hatter" (lead was used in the felting process) in "Alice and Wonderland". There are many poisons and impurities which we shold perhaps not be bothered by, as a way of avoiding stress. Lead is not one of them. It is a really serious toxin than can have devastating effects on early childhood development, and overall health, and it is preventable by avoiding contact with lead-contaminated items.

I would just like to point out that antimony is also poisonous.

Another article: www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-kohl.html

The link to the henna page article I posted above is no longer valid, but a recent poke around the site showed a post where a woman tested 4 "safe" imported kohl powders, and all 4 contained lead - including the "gentle" one for babies.

recently purchased some Kohl from FCBD (thanks Carolena!) and after googling to get tips to apply it (which, by the way, goes on super smooth with the olive oil)..... I found article after article about lead & kohl, and I have two little kids.

So.

One hardware store lead test kit later, I'm pleased to announce that the test showed that my FCBD kohl does NOT have lead. What else is in it? I don't particularly care :D It stays on beautifully and I'm super pleased.

Yay!

Now my favorite tribal belt, on the other hand? Lead all over the place.

here's a link to another kohl discussion in tha makeup and hair for dancers tribe, also with more info on kohl alternatives~
dancemakeup.tribe.net/thread/...09384cbc
(i use the revlon bedroom eyes powder liner and love it! )