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Asbestos in Iraq

Many dangers are facing U.S. troops stationed in Iraq, including security threats, intense heat, harsh living conditions, and roadside attacks, to name a few. The media traditionally covers these dangers, but another danger, the serious hazard of asbestos exposure, has been left in the dark. Few people, including troops overseas, are aware of the potential threat of asbestos exposure. This likely means little to nothing is being done to prevent toxic exposure among American troops.

Asbestos Figures in the Middle East

Documents from 2003, which is the latest year such figures are available, show asbestos imports to Iraq amounted to $194,000 (U.S. dollars). To make matters worse, there are no known regulations concerning health and safety for those working in Iraq that are processing and handling asbestos.

The entire Middle East has been steadily increasing their incoming asbestos supply, except for Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which are the only two countries that have placed bans on asbestos. To demonstrate the amount of consumption that is taking place, Iran alone has been reported to order 30,000 tons of asbestos each year.

Threat of Asbestos in Iraq

The War in Iraq has created a multitude of concerns for U.S. troops, and asbestos exposure should not be left to the wayside. When asbestos-containing buildings are damaged or disturbed by various munitions, it is highly likely that the asbestos construction materials are also damaged. This presents a hazard for all soldiers in the area. Even soldiers that are stationed nearby can be affected by asbestos because the fierce winds in Iraq can carry dessert sands and asbestos dust for miles.

The inhalation of these toxic fibers can cause a variety of terminal diseases, such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma cancer. Due to the latency period associated with this disease, soldiers may not experience symptoms until 15 to 40 years after initial exposure. Such was the case in World War II, when millions of U.S. troops were exposed to asbestos. The U.S. government has reported that as many WWII veterans have been claimed by asbestos-related disease as those who died in battle.

Once inhaled or ingested, microscopic asbestos fibers can become lodged in vital tissues. Over time, these fibers can accumulate and cause irritation, inflammation, and eventual DNA damage. Pulmonary diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and pleural mesothelioma are more common illnesses caused by asbestos exposure, but abdominal and heart diseases can result from exposure as well. Numerous studies have also linked asbestos exposure to a range of other diseases, such as gastrointestinal and colon cancer.

Sources:

1. http://www.btinternet.com/~ibas/lka_asb_use_middle_east.htm
2. http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=8296

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