US, UK Munitions ‘Cause Birth Defects’ in Iraq

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Global Disasters/ Significant Events

Iraq: What a wonderful world, indeed!

Number of birth defects in Iraq’s Al Basrah Maternity Hospital rose from 1.37 per 1,000 live births between October 1994 and October 1995 to an astonishing 23 per 1,000 live births in 2003, a 17-fold increase in one decade, according to researchers who published their findings in a report titled Metal Contamination and the Epidemic of Congenital Birth Defects in Iraqi Cities.

In Fallujah, more than 50 percent of all babies surveyed between 2007 and 2010 were born with birth defects. Before the war, the figure was about 10 percent. Further, more than 45 percent of all pregnancies surveyed between 2005 and 2006 resulted in miscarriage, compared to only 10 percent before the invasion.

Photos of some birth defects reported from Fallujah General Hospital between May and August 2010. a Gastroschisis, b Hydrocephalus, c Encephalocele, d Macrocephaly, e Spina Bifida; f Cleft lip and palate. Source and copyright:Savabieasfahani et al., 2012, Metal Contamination and the Epidemic of Congenital Birth Defects in Iraqi Cities.

The number of babies born with birth defects n the region increased by more than 60 percent (37 out of every 1,000 are now born with defects) since 2005. This rise is consistent with increased exposure to metals released by the bombs and bullets used during the Iraqi occupation, according to the report.

Populations caught in war-zones or forced to live with severe nutritional restrictions (such as those imposed on the Iraqi population by U.N. sanctions from 1991 to 2003) suffer immediate and chronic stress that leads to long-lasting physical and mental damage. In addition to the harsh effects of sanctions, many Iraqi cities have experienced large-scale bombardment. An accurate tally of the types and volume of ammunition dropped on the Iraqi population is not available. However, reports have indicated that large numbers of bullets have been expended into the Iraqi environment (Buncombe 2011). Thus the environmental contamination of Iraqi cities with materials contained in bullets and bombs may be expected. Toxic metals such as mercury (Hg) and Pb are an integral part of war ammunition and are extensively used in the making of bullets and bombs (Departments of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, Joint Technical Bulletin 1998; US Department of the Army Technical Manual 1990).

“Fallujah, around 40 miles west of Baghdad, was at the epicenter of these various health risks. The city was first invaded by US Marines in the spring of 2004, and then again 7 months later. Some of the heaviest artillery in the US arsenal was deployed during the attack, including phosphorus shells,” said a report.

See also:

• Alleged use of uranium-enhanced weapons by US-led forces might have caused birth defects and cancer increases.

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Living in Depleted Uranium Dust

Depleted Uranium Babies

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