The 2003 U.S.-led war on Iraq left countless devastating legacies, most of which are well known and relatively well recorded. The infinite death and destruction and rise in sectarianism and insecurity are all issues discussed regularly in the press. The impact of the war on the health of Iraqis, however, is something that could not be measured with such immediacy and, as such, has been almost entirely neglected by the mainstream media.

Despite the lack of coverage, an increase in scientific research over recent years has, in fact, brought to light the sheer extent of the long-term damage afflicted on the Iraqi population by the use of certain weapons and toxic materials during U.S. military operations.

In an extensive report published in Aljazeera several months ago, journalist Dahr Jamail demonstrates, with graphic evidence, the rise in certain physical symptoms suffered by Iraqis since the war. He also delves into some of the research carried out by prominent doctors and scientists which has attempted to prove the direct correlation between such illnesses and weapons used during the war.

Researchers have found that the use of Depleted Uranium (DU) by U.S. forces between 2003-6 is most likely the reason behind the recent sharp rise in illnesses such as congenital birth defects and cancer, particularly among children and newborns in the Iraqi city of Fallujah where such substances were used the most.

In 2004, for instance, U.S. forces carried out two major sieges of the city of Fallujah in which they used DU and even, allegedly, white phosphorus, a chemical weapon whose use in populated areas is prohibited under international law.

Doctors and scientists point to the fact that certain illnesses, particularly those affecting the kidney, lungs and liver, only appeared in Iraq after the war. This is hardly surprising considering the extent of contamination of the air and drinking water caused by the use of DU munitions.

The percentage of miscarriages and premature births (many ending in death) has also increased sharply in Fallujah and other areas where the heaviest U.S. military operations took place.

Official Iraqi government statistics record that in 1991, 40 out of 100,000 Iraqis suffered from cancer. By 2005, following two consecutive wars, the rate had increased to 1,600 out of 100,000, and the number continues to rise rapidly.

Of course, most Iraqis do not have recourse to adequate and affordable healthcare – only 50% of Iraqi healthcare is public. The private sector is not only limited to those with sufficient means, but is also known to obfuscate the figures of cancer patients. Consequently, the actual figure of those suffering from cancer is most likely much higher than that officially recorded.

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