Environmental pollution by depleted uranium in Iraq with special reference to Mosul and possible effects on cancer and birth defect rates

Abstract

Iraq is suffering from depleted uranium (DU) pollution in many regions and the effects of this may harm public health through poisoning and increased incidence of various cancers and birth defects. DU is a known carcinogenic agent. About 1200 tonnes of ammunition were dropped on Iraq during the Gulf Wars of 1991 and 2003. As a result, contamination occurred in more than 350 sites in Iraq. Currently, Iraqis are facing about 140,000 cases of cancer, with 7000 to 8000 new ones registered each year. In Baghdad cancer incidences per 100,000 population have increased, just as they have also increased in Basra. The overall incidence of breast and lung cancer, Leukaemia and Lymphoma, has doubled, even tripled. The situation in Mosul city is similar to other regions. Before the Gulf Wars Mosul had a higher rate of cancer, but the rate of cancer has further increased since the Gulf Wars.

Keywords:

• environmental pollution
• uranium
• depleted uranium
• cancer
• birth deformities
• Iraq
• Mosul

Acknowledgement

Discussion of uranium pollution in Mosul city is part of a project supported by a grant from the Council of Academic Refugee Assistant (CARA) under its Iraq Research Fellowship Program, with the contribution of the University of Bangor (ECW-SENRG), UK. This study was conducted under the supervision of Professor Douglas Godbold and Davy Jones.