Depleted Uranium Radioactive Contamination In Iraq:

An Overview

Dr. Souad N. Al-AzzawiAssoc. Prof. / Ma’moon

Univ. for Science & Technology

US & UK armed forces continuously used Depleted Uranium (DU) weapons

since 1991 against people and environment in Iraq

Thousands of tons of DU expenditure have been used against southern, middle, and northern cities of Iraq during Gulf War I as well as during

the invasion of Iraq in 2003, until now through all their military operations

against Iraqi people and their environment

The Pentagon and the American administration have refused the

release of any information about the amounts of DU, and locations where these radioactive weapons have been used, as well as their effects on the

population of Iraq.Tens of exploration programs, epidemiological studies, and other DU effects on human health studies, have been conducted by Iraqi universities researchers. Results of these studies have been published in peer-reviewed

scientific journals inside Iraq only, due to the comprehensive economical

sanctions imposed on Iraq since 1991.

In 1993, 1st site detection of DU related contamination in destroyed tanks and military artilleries in areas of northern

Rumaila oil field, Alshamia city, Kharange, and Jabal Sanam have been

documented.

Exposure readings were done by a team from the (IAEC) and Science College of

Baghdad University.

Tables 1, 2, and 3 show the results of this detection program, which shows exposure ten times, radioactivity increase, than background levels in the same areas.

Table (1) Field Measurements at DMZ and Surrounding Area [7]

Type of Chose Sample Background Chosen Sample

1 Unexploded DU Warhead (near Karrange Oil Pumping Station on the Iraqi-Saudi border

7.4 83

2 Tank/T-55 (between crossroads Nos. 13 and 14)

7.6 21

3 Tank/T-72 (No. 16107) 7.2 23

4 Tank/T-55 (left of crossroads No. 9) 7.4 67

5 Tank/T-72 (near international observation post between crossroads Nos. 12 and 13)

7.6 69

6 Tank/T-72 (south west on Mount Sanam) 7.0 65

 * Exposure measurements (Micro Roentgen/hr)

Type of Chose Sample Background Chosen Sample

1 Armored Personnel Carrier BMB-1

8.1 24.6

2 Armored Personnel Carrier MTLB

8.2 9.7

3 T-72 Tank 8.7 15.1

4 Rescue Tank 7.2 13.2

Table (2) Field Measurements at North Rumaila Area [7]

Table (3) Field Measurements at Shamia Air field / Gudairat al-Audhaimi Area [7]

Type of Chose Sample Background Chosen Sample

1 T-72 Tank 7.0 60.8

2 Armoured Personnel Carrier (Water can)

7.2 60.3

3 Far away area from chosen sample (1) / T-72

7.1 7.3

4 Far away area from chosen sample (2) / Water can

7.3 7.2

In 1996, another, more comprehensive, exploration program were conducted by the Environmental Engineering Dept. (EEUB) of University of Baghdad [Al-Azzawi, S., et.al., 1996].

The program involved taking hundreds of:

• exposure measurements

• soil samples

• surface and groundwater samples

• water ways bottom sediments

• vegetables, meat, and wild plants samples

Areas covered by that program are:

1. Al-Zubair

2. Jabal Sanam

3. Southern Rumaila Oil Field

4. Northern Rumaila Oil Field

5. Safwan

Table 4, shows selected measurements of that program which prove DU related contamination of air, soil, water, and sediments.

By measuring U238, U235, and the ratio U235/U238 proved DU contamination.

Table 4 : Selected Exposure and Soil Radioactivity Measurements [15]

Sample Symbol Location

Type of Sampled

Target

Exposure µR/hr

Activity Concentration in Soil (Bq/Kg)

Th234 U235U235 / U 238

S-2-2 Northern Jabal Sanam A1 28.6 3918 41.9 0.01069

S-2-9 Northern Jabal Sanam T13 30.5 4401 57.1 0.0129

SN-1-2 Jabal Sanam T1 36.8 11400 183 0.0167

SN-2-3 Jabal Sanam T2 17.1 2550 47.3 0.0185

S-4-1 NW Jabal Sanam T4 15.3 3408 30.9 0.009

S-5-3 North Safwan City T5 16.3 7310 79 0.010

S-6-2 North Safwan City T6 14.4 2019 36.3 0.017

R-1-6 Northern Rumaila Oil Field T7 75.5 27800 375 0.013

R-3-2 Northern Rumaila Oil Field T8 58 79100 119 0.014

R-4-3 Northern Rumeila Oil Field A4 43 9700 70.3 0.007

RK-1-1 Southern Rumaila Oil Field T9 80.8 55700 901 0.0161

RK-2-2 Southern Rumaila Oil Field T10 51.9 40900 531 0.013

RK-3-2 Southern Rumaila Oil Field T11 42.1 21700 198 0.009

RK-4-1 Southern Rumaila Oil Field T12 43 31600 229 0.007

S-7-3 Jabal Sanam A2 48 3120 25.1 0.008

T: Destroyed Tank A: Destroyed Armored Vehicle

Other exploration programs (Table 5) proved the existing of:

• more contaminated areas in south and west of Basrah city

• in Ninevah governorate and its center, Mosul city

• in Muthana governorate and its center, Samawa city, where after more than 3 years, the American guardsmen of New York blood tests, who served there, proved they were exposed to DU contamination

• in Thee-Qar governorate, to the north of Basrah, and its center, Nassyria city.

Authors Year Measurements Areas

Khalil, M.A. and Fethi, F.M.

1996 Exposure, soil, water, plants and animal tissues

Al-Muthana and Thee-Qar Governorates

Maarouf, B.A. 2000 Exposure, activity measurements in soil

Al-Basrah and Al-Mutharan Governorates

Al-Azzawi, S.N. and Nashwan Shawkat

2000 Exposure, soil, water, sediment

Mosul City and Ninevah Governorate

Al-Azzawi, S.N. and Hassan, A.

2000 Exposure, soil Safwan City, Al-Zubair, Jabal Sanam, Northern and Southern Rumaila Oil Fields, Al-Basrah City

Elias, M.M. et al. 2001 Radioisotopes in drinking water

Baghdad City Municipality

Tawfiq, N.F. et al. 2000 U-238 concentration in Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

Al-Basrah, Al-Suweirah and other locations

Butrus, S.M. et al. 2001 Soil sampling East, central and west areas of Al-Basrah

Kinani, A.T. et al. 2001 U-235/U-238 in soil samples

Al-Basrah, Safwan, S.Rummailah, N. Rummailah Oil Fields

II

Epidemiological studies related to DU contamination health effects indicate:

1.The existing of multifold increase of malignant diseases like leukemia among children, of less than 15 years old, in Basrah 1990-2000 [Yacoub, A., et.al., 2002].

2. A three fold increase in congenital malformation in 1998 compared to 1990 [Al-Sadoon, I., et.al., 1998] congenital heart diseases, chromosomal aberrations, & multiple malformations which all indicate exposure to teratogenic environmental factors.

3. Increase of 160% of uterine cancer in 1997 compared to 1990. Also, 143% increase in thyroid cancer cases, and 82% increase of lymphomas cancer [Yacoub, A., et.al., 1998].

Figure 3: Incidence rate of the malignant diseases amongchildren in Basrah from 1993-2000copared to 1990 (after Yacoub, A., et.al., 2000).

3.98

5.2

3.93

7.22

6.69

10.7

13.1

6.72

7.83

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Yea

rs 1

993-

2000

com

par

ed t

o 1

990

Incidence rate per 100,000

Series1

Figure 4: Proportion of children below 5 years wit leukemia in Basrah 1990-2000 (after Yacoub, A., et.al., 2000)

13.3

33.3

35.7

40

41.7

41.7

41.7

46.7

56.7

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Yea

rs 1

990,

199

3-20

00

% of incidence <5 yrs

Series1

In 2002 Yacoub, Al-Sadoon, and Hassan In 2002 Yacoub, Al-Sadoon, and Hassan examined the association between examined the association between

exposure to DU in contaminated areas exposure to DU in contaminated areas & rising incidence of malignancies & rising incidence of malignancies

among children in Basrah through among children in Basrah through time time sequence and dose response criteriasequence and dose response criteria. . Geographic shift in the increase rates Geographic shift in the increase rates from less than 5/100,000 prior to 1993 from less than 5/100,000 prior to 1993

to 20.75/100,000 in 2000 in Zubair to 20.75/100,000 in 2000 in Zubair contaminated area, Figures 3,4, &5 contaminated area, Figures 3,4, &5

conclude these results.conclude these results.

Biological plausibility criteria were Biological plausibility criteria were satisfied through the shift of the satisfied through the shift of the

increase of leukemia incidence rate increase of leukemia incidence rate towards children younger than five towards children younger than five

years old, after 1995 (Figure 4).years old, after 1995 (Figure 4).

Figure 5: Geographical distribution of annual incidence rates of malignant diseases among children in year 2000 (after Yacoub, A., et.al., 2000).

9.47

42.7

12.89

1.74

20.76

2.98

6.7

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Center of Basrah Al-Hartha Qurna Al-Mudina Al-Zubier Abu Al-Khassib Shat Al-Arab

Towns and cities in Basrah Governorate

An

nu

al I

nci

den

ce R

ate

per

100

,00 0

Series2

Yacoub, et.al., 2002, couldn’t explain Yacoub, et.al., 2002, couldn’t explain the continuous increase of the continuous increase of

malignancies incidence rates among malignancies incidence rates among children in Al-Hartha area (Figure 2) children in Al-Hartha area (Figure 2)

from 10/100,000 prior to 1993 to from 10/100,000 prior to 1993 to 42.7/100,000 in the year 2000.42.7/100,000 in the year 2000.

This can attributed to the existing of This can attributed to the existing of the the 800 MGW Hartha Electrical Power 800 MGW Hartha Electrical Power

PlantPlant which was attacked by US Air which was attacked by US Air Force many times and has been Force many times and has been

destroyed during the first week of the destroyed during the first week of the 11stst. Gulf War in 1991.. Gulf War in 1991.

IIIIIIOther DU effects on Other DU effects on

human health studies human health studies include:include:

In 1998, Ammash presented a paper that deals with joined toxic and radioactive effects of DU on (50) studied individuals, where (29) cases have been found with DNA abnormalities.

In the year 2000, Muhammad, Z., In the year 2000, Muhammad, Z., et.al, published a paper about the et.al, published a paper about the

effects of DU radiations on a group effects of DU radiations on a group of (26) Iraqi veterans compared to of (26) Iraqi veterans compared to

(43) control group. Tests of the (43) control group. Tests of the (ADA) (ADA) Adenosine DA Amines enzymeAdenosine DA Amines enzyme activity found to be significantly activity found to be significantly

lower than that of the control lower than that of the control group.group.

In 2000, Ammash, H., et.al., published a In 2000, Ammash, H., et.al., published a paper about the results of paper about the results of genetic genetic

hematological analysishematological analysis for (47) for (47) individuals who lives or exposed as individuals who lives or exposed as veterans in contaminated areas of veterans in contaminated areas of

Basrah, compared with (30) individuals Basrah, compared with (30) individuals of control group from Baghdad.of control group from Baghdad.

PCV, WBC, and hemoglobin concentration blood tests were all showed a significant effects on Basrah studied group as follow:

* 21% of them suffered reduction in blood hemoglobin conc. (9-13) g/dl

*25% of the Basrah studied group showed abnormal blood packed cell volume (PCV) in a rate of (30-39)% lower than the normal rate, or 3% higher than normal rate.

CONT……

* 8% of the studied group have total * 8% of the studied group have total count of white blood cells (WBC) less count of white blood cells (WBC) less than normal(4000) c/mlthan normal(4000) c/ml

* The author, also, pointed out the * The author, also, pointed out the existing compound chromosomal existing compound chromosomal changes in the lymphocytes of changes in the lymphocytes of peripheral blood of Basrah studied peripheral blood of Basrah studied group at a ratio of (0.1118%) group at a ratio of (0.1118%) scientifically higher than normal.scientifically higher than normal.

* Ratio of dicenteric and ring-centric * Ratio of dicenteric and ring-centric chromosomal abnormality fraction was chromosomal abnormality fraction was found to be (0.04479) which is also found to be (0.04479) which is also higher than ordinary ratio. higher than ordinary ratio. Chromosomal damages were mostly in Chromosomal damages were mostly in male veteran individuals. male veteran individuals.

In the year 2002, Al-Sadi, H., and In the year 2002, Al-Sadi, H., and Sawad, A., conducted a research in the Sawad, A., conducted a research in the Veterinary College of Basrah University. Veterinary College of Basrah University. The study reported the existing of three The study reported the existing of three types of animal neoplasm: types of animal neoplasm:

1. seminoma in rams 1. seminoma in rams 2. mesotheliomas in buffalo 2. mesotheliomas in buffalo 3. ovarian cystademonas in bitches 3. ovarian cystademonas in bitches 4. some types of congenital defects in 4. some types of congenital defects in farm animals farm animals

All previous types of neoplasm have All previous types of neoplasm have never reported in this region before the never reported in this region before the nineties.nineties.

Recommendations:Recommendations:

In light of the stated facts and evidences, the following is recommended:

1.Occupation forces must allow UNEP to conduct a full exploration program in Iraq in order to assess human health and environmental damages caused by these weapons since 1991.

2.Occupation forces should clearly submit all necessary information and data about the types, amounts, and locations of all DU expenditures that have been used on Iraqi territories.

3.Cont…..

3. Occupation forces should allow WHO to conduct comprehensive health surveys and investigations in DU contaminated areas to help the Iraqi people and children coping with the consequences of DU related health damages.

4. Occupation forces should help in managing all contaminated wreckage and destroyed contaminated artilleries, top soil, waterways, bottom sediments through a comprehensive clean-up and remedy plan.

Cont…..

5. The doors for further research must be opened concerning studies about the impact of DU on the population and the environment in Iraq. This includes the release of statistics related to occupation crimes and casualties that have been committed against Iraqi people during the last two decades. 6. The accused administrations responsible for committing war crimes against Iraqi people and the environment through subjecting them to this suffering and gradual death as a result of DU weaponry use should be convicted and sentenced for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Cont…..

7. The international community must work together to promote a resolution banning DU weapons as a first step to abolish these weapons from the army arsenals of the countries that currently use them.