Millions of people, including women and children, in Nepal have been found exposed to lead, a toxic heavy metal. A new study by the Centre for Public Health and Environmental Development (CEPHED) found high concentrations in nearly one-third of cosmetic products including gajal (a black eyeliner also known as kajal) and sindoor (vermilion powder), and toothpaste.

The study, carried out with the technical and financial support of the Lead Poisoning Elimination Project (LEEP, USA), found that 31 percent of tested samples contained detectable lead, while 24 percent exceeded the strict 1 ppm safety limit set by the United States and Canada, and 27 percent surpassed the European Union’s 0.5 ppm standard.

The study, made public on Friday, shows 16 percent of samples even breached Nepal’s own 10 ppm guideline, which indicates compliance failure.

“We don’t have any mechanism in the country to regulate these products, which are used by millions of people daily,” said Ram Charitra Sah, executive director and environment scientist at CEPHED. “Our study shows the situation is alarming. Authorities must take an initiative to protect people’s health.”

Of late, lead and heavy metal poisoning has emerged as a serious problem in Nepal. Lead exposure is linked to IQ loss and behavioural disorders in children, growth impairment, kidney damage, hypertension, infertility, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The World Health Organisation maintains that no level of lead exposure is safe, particularly for children, who absorb lead at much higher rates than adults.

The presence of hazardous substances—mercury, arsenic, cadmium, among others—has previously been detected in dietary supplements, Ayurvedic medicines, and kitchen spices, including turmeric and other packaged spices.

The report shows that even products from popular brands contain high levels of lead.

Among tested products, sindoor emerged as the most contaminated, with 40 percent of samples testing positive for lead. Some samples contained extremely high concentrations—up to 124.73 parts per million (ppm)—particularly in Kathmandu Valley, where 60 percent of tested sindoor samples contained lead.

Likewise, 81 percent of lead-positive samples exceeded the EU’s 0.5 ppm threshold. Specific high-lead brands included Mamta Sindoor, with up to 115.93 ppm.

The study also found that nearly half of the tested toothpaste samples—45 percent—contained lead with concentrations up to 51.28 ppm. Himalaya Kids Orange toothpaste contained upto 1.26 ppm which is higher than recommended.

Even well-known brands such as Colgate, Pepsodent, Dabur Red, Danta Kanti, and Clove Cavity Protection Toothpaste had higher than recommended lead levels.

Experts warned that twice-daily use of contaminated toothpaste significantly increases chronic exposure, especially as children often swallow toothpaste while brushing.

“Twice-daily use amplifies exposure. Children’s 4-5 times higher absorption than adults makes toothpaste, sindoor and gajal uniquely hazardous,” warned the report.

Although only one gajal sample (3.45 percent) tested positive for lead, researchers cautioned that gajal poses a heightened risk as it is applied near mucosal surfaces, increasing absorption, and it is particularly dangerous for infants, as gajal has traditionally been used on babies in Nepal.

Provincial analysis showed Bagmati Province had the highest contamination rate, with 42.5 percent of samples from Kathmandu Valley containing lead, followed by Gandaki (26.3 percent), Koshi (21.7 percent), and Madhesh (22.2 percent).

Experts warn that long-term exposure to lead in children can lead to IQ drops, attention deficit disorders, hyperactivity-like behaviour, growth stunting, endocrine disruption, and reduced academic performance.

The adult population exposed to high concentrations of lead may suffer from hypertension, infertility, preterm birth, low birth weight, and lifelong developmental issues.

Sindoor's daily ritual use (forehead/hairline) ensures dermal/oral uptake. Lead stored in bones for decades can mobilise during pregnancy and lactation and cross the placenta.

The study also identified widespread labelling violations, with many products lacking ingredient lists or country-of-origin information, despite legal requirements under Nepal’s Consumer Protection and Right to Information laws.

CEPHED has urged the government to introduce mandatory lead limits below 1 ppm, enforce regular market surveillance, mandate third-party testing, and ban high-risk imports.

“Lead in these products is entirely preventable. There is no biological need to have lead in cosmetics or toothpaste,” said Sah.

The organisation called for immediate policy action and assignment of a dedicated regulatory authority before the next International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week in October 2026, warning that continued inaction threatens Nepal’s public health and children’s cognitive development.