Iraq sees 12 fold increase in cancer, depleted uranium cited

Number of cancer cases (Leukemia and kidney, liver and lung cancer) reported has increased in Iraq especially in the southern Iraqi cities.

Doctors from the environment and pollution control centers at al-Mousel university unveiled that types of cancers resulting from environmental pollution witnesses a notable increase following the second Gulf war, adding that the use of depleted uranium and other traces of war and the pollution of air and soil are among the first reasons for cancer.

The surgeon at al-Nasareyah hospital Kamal Naeem al-Khafaji attributed the spread of kidney diseases among children, youths and elderly to the pollution of drinking waters and of containing the depleted uranium, while the two researchers at al-Basra university Amal Saleh and Mustafa Abdullah said that the grave environmental deterioration resulted in the increase in the number of cancer cases, especially in Basra as number of reported cancer cases increased to more than 12 folds over the figures of 1991.

A specialized European delegation visited Iraq in April 1998 from the south to the north and was briefed on the negative health conditions resulting from the American attacks and the use of internationally banned weapons.