Afghanistan is facing a severe public health crisis due to widespread lead poisoning, with average blood lead levels nearly three times that of neighboring India and almost five times that of China, according to available data. A growing body of evidence suggests that traditional cooking pots, known as kazans, made from low-quality recycled aluminum may be a significant source of this contamination.
The issue came to light when researchers in the United States noticed alarmingly high blood lead levels among Afghan refugee children. In 2022, a study in Washington state tested various imported aluminum and stainless steel cooking pots, simulating cooking and food storage conditions. The results were startling: every aluminum cookware item donated by Afghan refugee families exceeded the US Food and Drug Administration’s limit for maximum lead intake from food. The kazans were particularly problematic, with one pot leaching enough lead to exceed the childhood limit by 650 times.
Following this research, several US states issued health warnings about the dangers of Afghan pressure cookers. Washington state went a step further, becoming the first to ban the manufacturing, sale, or distribution of lead-contaminated cooking pots.
However, this critical information appears not to have reached Afghanistan. The Telegraph reports that while there was a brief attempt to address the issue of lead-contaminated cooking equipment under the previous government of Hamid Karzai, the effort ceased when he left office in 2014. Current Taliban health ministry officials interviewed by The Telegraph were unaware of the problem or any plans to address it.
The health implications of this widespread lead exposure are severe and far-reaching. According to the World Health Organization, there is no safe level of lead exposure. Lead poisoning contributes to approximately 5.5 million premature deaths worldwide annually and causes significant long-term health problems, including increased risk of high blood pressure and kidney damage.
Children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning. Lead accumulates in the body over time, storing in teeth and bones. High exposure levels can cause severe brain and central nervous system damage, leading to convulsions, comas, and even death. Even at lower doses, lead can cause severe learning disabilities and has been linked to increased violence and criminality in adulthood.
Because of those severe side effects, the ongoing Wanabana Applesauce case in the United States, has caused serious concern among parents whose children consumed the lead-contaminated treats.
Lead poisoning affects children’s cognitive development, impacting their school progression and increasing the likelihood of suspension and association with violent crime. One researcher said that the consequences of lead poisoning for global health, children’s education, and overall development and economic growth are “staggering.”
The production of these potentially dangerous cooking pots continues in Afghanistan. In Ghor province, workers in a kazan factory melt down scrap metal, primarily car parts, in rudimentary furnaces with minimal safety equipment. Many workers are unaware of the health risks associated with their work.
One man, who has worked at a kazan factory for eight years, expressed surprise when asked about lead poisoning risks. He reported experiencing headaches, joint pain, and occasional breathing difficulties but had not connected these symptoms to his work.
When confronted about the potential dangers of their products, some factory owners dismissed the concerns. An owner of a cooking pot factory in Herat province claimed the lead poisoning reports were “just rumors” spread by competitors. He insisted his factory uses “pure aluminum” and has never encountered a case of lead poisoning in his 20 years of business.
Addressing this crisis presents significant challenges. The lack of awareness among both workers and consumers about the dangers of lead poisoning complicates efforts to combat the issue. Many Afghans are more concerned with immediate economic survival than potential long-term health risks.
The success of similar public health interventions in other countries offers some hope. In Bangladesh, researchers identified turmeric enhanced with lead chromate as a major source of lead poisoning. This discovery led to a successful campaign by the country’s Food Safety Authority, combining public warnings with market patrols using X-ray fluorescence analyzers to detect lead-contaminated spices.
However, Afghanistan’s lead problem may not be as easily attributed to a single source like the kazans. The country’s prolonged conflict and lack of comprehensive data make it challenging to fully understand and address the extent of lead poisoning.
As Afghanistan grapples with numerous pressing issues, the silent epidemic of lead poisoning threatens the long-term health and development of its population. Addressing this crisis will require a multifaceted approach, including further research, public education, and potentially significant changes to traditional manufacturing practices. The health and future of millions of Afghans, particularly children, hang in the balance as the country faces this hidden but pervasive threat.
Commenting on this story, one national lead poisoning attorney said, “This article underscores the importance of regulation because it not only establishes standards and guidelines to prevent contamination, ensure proper handling, and protect public health, but also provides accountability for producers and distributors, ensuring that food is safe to consume and reducing the likelihood of outbreaks that can cause harm or fatalities.”
