Toxicology: lead in kohl: practice question

A Forensic Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Forensic Medicine · Toxicology: lead in kohl

Sample item

An infant has anaemia, irritability and constipation. The mother applies surma (kohl) to the baby's eyes daily. Which toxicant is the likely source?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Lead

Traditional eye cosmetics such as surma may contain lead sulphide, which can be absorbed and cause anaemia, irritability and constipation. Blood lead measurement confirms exposure. Mercury, cadmium and arsenic produce other syndromes.

Option by option

  • A. Arsenic

    Arsenic causes skin changes and neuropathy over a longer exposure.

  • B. Mercury

    Mercury causes tremor, gingivitis and renal injury.

  • C. Lead (correct)

    Correct. Surma may contain lead, explaining the anaemia and colic in the infant.

  • D. Cadmium

    Cadmium causes renal tubular damage and bone disease.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Forensic Medicine questions

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is C, Lead. Traditional eye cosmetics such as surma may contain lead sulphide, which can be absorbed and cause anaemia, irritability and constipation.

Why is "Arsenic" not the answer?

Arsenic causes skin changes and neuropathy over a longer exposure.

Why is "Mercury" not the answer?

Mercury causes tremor, gingivitis and renal injury.

Why is "Cadmium" not the answer?

Cadmium causes renal tubular damage and bone disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Toxicology: lead in kohl in Forensic Medicine. Blood lead measurement confirms exposure. Mercury, cadmium and arsenic produce other syndromes.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Toxicology: lead in kohl?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.