Alkohl use in Saudi Arabia. Extent of use and possible lead toxicity.

The extent of alkohl use, its lead content and blood lead levels after use were investigated. A total of 500 individuals were interviewed. It was observed that 233 (47%) had used alkohl. The main purposes for its use were: eye cosmetic (66%) and eye and umbilical stump remedy (26%). Of those who used it as an eye cosmetic, 45% applied it daily and 18% occasionally. Sixty-five (28%) of the users experienced some type of adverse reactions. Their mean blood lead levels was 0.99 uMol/L as compared to 0.26 uMol/L in non-users. The majority of alkohl samples analyzed had high lead content. Mean blood lead levels of rabbits treated with alkohl was 3.31 uMol/L. It is recommended that the public should be educated on the possible dangers of continued alkohl use.