Kohl (kajal, surma, al-kohl)

A dark powder applied to the eyes as a cosmetic in South Asian and Middle Eastern cultural traditions. Traditional mineral kohl is galena (lead sulfide, PbS), which may contain 40-80% lead by mass. Non-lead versions use carbon black (lampblack or charcoal). Traditional galena kohl is prohibited in the US (FDA Import Alert IA-66-01), the EU (Annex II Entry 209), and India (Cosmetics Rules 2020 Schedule 1).