J Trop Pediatr. 1995 Aug; 41(4): 246-7.

New information on the composition of bint al Dhahab, a mixed lead monoxide used as a traditional medicine in Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

Worthing MA, Sutherland HH, al-Riyami K.

Department of Earth Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate of Oman.

X-ray diffraction and X-ray micro-analyser studies of the traditional medicine bint al dhahab confirm that it is composed of two polymorphs of lead monoxide (PbO). These studies also show the presence of cadmium and a third complex monoxide of lead containing antimony. Bulk analyses show that the substance contains approximately 91 g of lead monoxide, 600 mg of antimony oxide, and 50 mg of cadmium per 100 g of bint al dhahab. This new information may assist physicians to devise appropriate treatment regimens for patients presenting with symptoms of toxicity.