The use of certain utensils made with aluminum have led to an increase in blood lead levels in children—a matter that has not received much attention in the country so far. 

Some American researchers have found that the blood lead levels in Afghan children range from 5 to 19 micrograms per deciliter.

The study says that from 2014 to 2016, 47.8% of Afghan children had blood lead levels between 5 to 9 micrograms per deciliter, and 9.10% of children had blood lead levels between 10 to 19 micrograms per deciliter. In a previous study on Afghan refugees resettled in the United States between 2010 and 2014, the highest blood lead levels were observed compared to children from other countries.

The normal blood lead level for children is considered to be 3.5 micrograms per deciliter, though some standards accept up to 5 micrograms as normal. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that lead increases the risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems, and kidney damage. 

But what is the impact of increased blood lead levels in children?

"Interestingly, lead does not exit the human body and remains in the body for several years, even reaching the bone marrow. It can stay in the bone marrow for up to 30 years and in children, it causes a decrease in IQ or a learning ability," Mujtaba Sufi, a doctor, said.

The study mentioned that the cause of the increased blood lead levels in children is the use of aluminum utensils, particularly pressure cookers, commonly used in Afghanistan.

The study further says: "The results of this study suggest that aluminum cookpots brought into the US from Afghanistan contain high lead levels. A local Afghan community member informed us that while traditional pressure cookers originate primarily from Afghanistan and Pakistan, inexpensive aluminum cookpots may be exported to Afghanistan from India, Pakistan, and China. Foodstuffs prepared by Afghan families in traditional pressure cookers include meats, beans, chickpeas, potatoes, rice, tomatoes (fresh or paste), and a variety of spices. The resulting dishes may be relatively acidic, thereby promoting the migration of lead and other metals from cookware."

"Items like pressure cookers, and any method in which they are used, have been shown by research to produce lead, and it can be absorbed either through old tools or metal objects," Rohidullah Amin, another doctor said. 

In Bangladesh, the use of pigments in turmeric has been identified as a source of lead, and the use of kohl (surma) has also been identified as another risk factor for lead exposure. The sale of Indian kohl was banned in the United States, yet it is still used in Afghanistan.