PuhL tihh, l./md. (]981) 95. 250-260 Lead Poisoning and Traditional Consequences for World Health. A Practices: the Study in Kuwait N. P. Fernando" M.B.. F.RCP.DCH 'M. A. H,ealyl" BSc. Ph O. C Chem. M'RSC M. Aslam~ M.Sc PhtD.,MPS. S. S. Davis~ B Phar,m., Ph. D. M.P S and A. Hussein" MSc., MPS " A! Adan Hospital Kuwait Department of Chemistry and + Department of Pharmacy. UnJversiw of Nottingham. UniversiW Park./Vottingham NG7 2RD The extensive use of lead as a fallacious materia medica in certain cultural customs is presenting a serious risk to health for a large section of the world's population. Data obtained in Kuwait exemplifies the problem. Four case-histories of paediatric patients are presented. These illustrate specific aspects of the clinical manifestations associated with lead poisoning from "the use o£ the traditional preparation, AI Kohl, and practice, Bokhoor, in Kuwait. The lead analy.~s of 13 such materials are reported; nine of the samples being obtained from the parents of children exhibiting symptoms of plumbism. From examinations of a further 51 patients a maximum "safe'" blood lead level for very young infants of 0.48 #mol/l ( 10 #g/dl) is deduced. In addition preliminary e~idence is presented ~'hich supports the hypothesis that in neonates lead affects the synaptic inhibitor gamma amino butyric ac.id, (G.A.B.A.). Introduction Traditional Asian medicines and cosmetics obtained in the Indian subcontinent and Britain were found to contain high concentrations of heavy metals in a number of preparations. = Correlation between use of these materials and elevated blood lead levels have been shown. 2,a In addition modes of gastrointestinal absorption of the materials have been examined* as well as the implications for mental health: Here we report the first results from extension of these studies to Kuwait. The data obtained are, however, of significance beyond the boundaries of that one country. Of 24 case-histories of lead poisoning in children, first presented at the Kuwait Medical Association's Conference in 1977, * 17 were under 1 year old. Relevant data are shown in Table I. t Correspondence to: Dr M. A. Healy. 0033-3506/811050250+ 11 $0! .00/0 © 1981 The Society of Commtmity Medicine