The New South Wales Government has issued a public health warning over an imported eyeliner that contains dangerously high levels of lead and other hazardous metals.
Health authorities in western Sydney were alerted to the product, manufactured in Pakistan and sold in some Indian and Pakistani stores in Sydney, after three children from the same family became sick.
Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said doctors tested the children and found elevated levels of lead in their blood.
"An investigation indicated the health concerns were likely to have been caused by one of the Hashmi brand eyeliners," he said.
Testing of the Hashmi Surmi Special and Hashmi Khol Aswad eyeliners revealed an 84 per cent lead content.
The tests also found the two eyeliners contained high levels of dangerous metals including arsenic, cadmium, chromium and mercury.
NSW Health is warning people who have used the eyeliner to "cease using them immediately" and seek urgent medical advice from their local doctors.
Mr Kean said it was a "total disgrace" because some of the product packaging specifically stated no lead was present.
"I'm absolutely appalled by this as we know that the use of cosmetics containing lead can have long-term health effects, including brain and kidney damage, in both adults and children," Mr Kean said.
NSW Fair Trading has referred the makeup to the Australian Border Force and will continue investigating where the products are being sold and if there are other cosmetics failing to meet mandatory standards.
Businesses that do not comply with the standards under Australian Consumer Law risk fines of more than $1 million, and individuals selling dodgy products can be slapped with penalties up to $220,000.
