apfcbAPFCB eNewscoAPFCB News Volume 5, Issue 1MultidisciplinaryEnglishJan-Jun, 2026NNY20260331ArticlesBlood Lead Level Screening among Beauticians in Kathmandu: A Pilot StudyEnglishY00KeyoorGautamEnglishNVivekPantEnglishYDevishPyakurelEnglishYSantoshPradhanEnglishYAbhaShresthaEnglishYNehaNeupaneEnglishYhttps://doi.org/10.62772/APFCB-News.2026.5102Lead exposure from cosmetics is a growing public health concern, especially for beauticians who handle such products daily. In Nepal, weak regulatory oversight allows the circulation of counterfeit cosmetics containing high lead levels. This pilot study assessed blood lead levels (BLLs) among beauticians attending a health camp organized by the Cosmetics Society. Forty-five beauticians with at least one year of experience participated. Blood samples were analyzed using anodic stripping voltammetry (detection limit: 3.3 µg/dL). Seven participants (20%) had elevated BLLs above this threshold, ranging from 3.5 to 16.0 µg/dL. Findings suggest that beauticians are at occupational risk of lead exposure. Regular BLL screening, improved hygiene practices and stricter regulation of cosmetic products are recommended. Larger studies analyzing other toxic elements are warranted to better understand exposure risks in this group.EnglishBlood lead level, Cosmetics, Lead toxicityhttps://www.apfcb.org/APFCB_News/abstract?id=46References1619References1. Sprinkle RV. Leaded eye cosmetics: a cultural cause of elevated lead levels in children. Journal of family practice. 1995 Apr 1;40(4):358-62. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7699349/ 2. Sah RC. Poisonous Cosmetics: The problem of lead in Lipsticks in Nepal. Center for Public Health and Environmental Development (CEPHED); 2012. https://elibrary.nhrc.gov.np/handle/20.500.14356/633 3. Arfaeinia H, Dobaradaran S, Mahmoodi M, Farjadfard S, Tahmasbizadeh M, Fazlzadeh M. Urinary profile of PAHs and related compounds in women working in beauty salons. Science of The Total Environment. 2022 Dec 10;851:158281.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36029813/