The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

War leaves a toxic legacy that lasts long after the guns go quiet. Can we stop it?

  • Written by Stacey Pizzino, PhD Candidate, The University of Queensland
War leaves a toxic legacy that lasts long after the guns go quiet. Can we stop it?

The number of armed conflicts currently raging around the world is the greatest[1] since the end of the Second World War. These wars can leave toxic environmental legacies and cause untold damage to human health.

One-quarter of the world’s population, or two billion people[2], live in countries experiencing war. They include Ukraine, Yemen, Syria, Myanmar, Sudan, Haiti and the Sahel region in Northern Africa.

Violent conflict causes substantial environmental damage – polluting air, water and soil, and damaging human health over the long-term.

Chemical weapons and toxins are still being used in current wars. The United Nations last month formally adopted principles to protect the environment[3] in armed conflict. Concrete action is now needed to implement them.

Man walks past burning pile of refuse
A Ukrainian firefighter at a chemical storage facility hit by a Russian missile in march 2022. Roman Pilipey/EPA

What are toxic remnants of war?

Toxic remnants of war[4] are poisonous or hazardous substances resulting from military activities. They include:

  • radioactive material
  • white phosphorus
  • mustard agents
  • halogens
  • heavy metals
  • dioxins and other human carcinogens.

Atomic bombs[5] dropped on the Japanese cites of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 are thought to have killed more than 200,000 people immediately; more died from nuclear radiation in subsequent years.

Photos showing healthy and defoliated forest
Top photo shows a mangrove forest near Saigon before US forces sprayed it with the chemical defoliant Agent Orange in 1965. Bottom photo shows a nearby area after the attack. AP

Some toxic remnants are a direct result of armed conflict. Agent Orange used in the Vietnam War contained dangerous dioxins that continue to damage people and the environment today.

The use of poisonous gases and other hazardous substances in warfare has a long history. Chlorine and mustard gas, for example, were used[6] in the First World War.

However, unlike many past wars, today’s armed conflicts increasingly take place in urban and industrialised areas, posing a significant risk to civilians and their environment.

And the use of chemical weapons continues. For example, a UN official this month said[7] the Syrian government’s “absence of accountability” for using chemical weapons in the nation’s long-running civil war was “a threat to international peace and security and a danger to us all”.

A threat to human health

Toxic remnants of war can result in many adverse health effects in humans.

In Vietnam, research[8] suggests a greatly increased risk of birth defects among children of parents exposed to Agent Orange. In some locations, extremely high levels of dioxins have been found in soil, sediment and foods, as well as human breast milk[9] and blood.

Research has also linked Agent Orange to human genome instability[10] (or genome mutations) in adults and children.

Read more: Agent Orange, exposed: How U.S. chemical warfare in Vietnam unleashed a slow-moving disaster[11]

woman comforts son on bed
The effects of Agent Orange are still felt by Vietnam’s people today. Richard Vogel/AP

In Gaza, elevated heavy metal loads have been identified in mothers and newborns[12] exposed to military attacks. Also in Gaza, birth defects[13] have been associated with exposure to white phosphorus and other bombs containing toxic and carcinogenic metals.

In Croatia, higher metal blood concentrations[14] were found in those exposed to heavy fighting.

In Iraq, open burn pits used to dispose of war waste have exposed[15] civilians to poisonous smoke and fumes. And smoke from oil well fires[16] in the 1991 Gulf War, and more recently in Syria[17], pose a toxic risk.

Read more: Atomic disruption: how Russia's war on Ukraine has rattled the nuclear world order[18]

Flame and smoke spew from oil well
Kuwaiti oil wells set alight by fleeing Iraqi troops in 1991 – smoke from which is toxic. Greg Gibson/AP

A scourge on the environment

In addition to human health effects, armed conflicts can cause widespread environmental damage[19].

Sensitive landscapes can be destroyed by the movement of troops and vehicles. And explosives can release particles, debris and other matter that pollutes the air and soil.

War can also cause toxic pollution indirectly, such as when services and infrastructure are destroyed or break down.

For example[20], Israel’s bombardment of a power plant in Lebanon in 2006 sent 110,000 barrels of oil into the Mediterranean sea, killing fish and turtles and causing an environmental crisis.

And according to the OECD[21], Russian military strikes on Ukraine refineries, chemical plants, energy facilities and industrial plants have sent toxic substances into air, water and soil. It says ammunition remains and damaged military vehicles also contain materials toxic to people and the environment.

The war in Ukraine is also raising fears of a radioactive incident at Chernobyl and other Ukrainian nuclear power plants.

Toxic remnants of war also interact with the effects of climate change. As ice in Greenland melts, for instance, pollutants from abandoned Cold War-era military infrastructure[22] may enter waterways.

dead fish on beach
Dead fish lie on a beach in Beirut in 2006. Israel’s bombing of a power plant in southern Lebanon sent oil gushing into the sea. Assaad Ahmad/EPA

So what now?

Despite the known health and environmental effects, toxic weapons continue to be used in armed conflicts.

In December last year, the United Nations’ General Assembly adopted[23] principles[24] to protect the environment in relation to armed conflict. They outline how the environment should be protected before, during and after armed conflict.

The principles include:

But this protection isn’t binding in the same manner that a treaty or convention would be. Action is needed to ensure the principles are put into practice.

Governments, international organisations, armed groups, business enterprises and civil society all have a role to play.

According to[25] the Conflict and Environment Observatory, such action should include a formal implementation vehicle[26], such as an engaged group of governments, to ensure the principles are adopted on the ground.

And increased public awareness of conflict pollution will also help create the momentum needed.

Without firm action, toxic remnants of war will continue to pose long term threats to communities and ecosystems.

References

  1. ^ the greatest (press.un.org)
  2. ^ two billion people (press.un.org)
  3. ^ principles to protect the environment (www.un.org)
  4. ^ Toxic remnants of war (www.weaponslaw.org)
  5. ^ Atomic bombs (www.bbc.com)
  6. ^ were used (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  7. ^ this month said (news.un.org)
  8. ^ research (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  9. ^ human breast milk (www.nature.com)
  10. ^ human genome instability (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  11. ^ Agent Orange, exposed: How U.S. chemical warfare in Vietnam unleashed a slow-moving disaster (theconversation.com)
  12. ^ mothers and newborns (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  13. ^ birth defects (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  14. ^ higher metal blood concentrations (europepmc.org)
  15. ^ have exposed (link.springer.com)
  16. ^ oil well fires (www.unep.org)
  17. ^ in Syria (www.cbsnews.com)
  18. ^ Atomic disruption: how Russia's war on Ukraine has rattled the nuclear world order (theconversation.com)
  19. ^ environmental damage (ceobs.org)
  20. ^ For example (www.nbcnews.com)
  21. ^ according to the OECD (www.oecd.org)
  22. ^ military infrastructure (direct.mit.edu)
  23. ^ adopted (www.un.org)
  24. ^ principles (legal.un.org)
  25. ^ According to (ceobs.org)
  26. ^ implementation vehicle (ceobs.org)

Read more https://theconversation.com/war-leaves-a-toxic-legacy-that-lasts-long-after-the-guns-go-quiet-can-we-stop-it-197051

The Times Features

Why Regional Small Businesses in Bendigo Deserve Better Access to Finance in 2025

In the heart of regional Victoria, Bendigo has long stood as a beacon of innovation, resilience and community spirit. As we step further into 2025, the importance of nurturing sm...

Is It Time for a Deep Cleaning? Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Most people know they should visit the dentist for a regular check-up and cleaning every six months. But sometimes, a standard cleaning isn’t enough. When plaque and tartar build...

The Hidden Meaning Behind Popular Engagement Ring Cuts

When it comes to engagement rings, the cut of the diamond is not just about aesthetics. Each shape carries its own symbolism and significance, making it an important decision for...

Annual Health Exams in the Office: How They Can Reduce Sick Days and Healthcare Costs

Regular health check-ups, especially annual health exams in the office, can significantly impact the overall well-being of your workforce. A proactive approach to employee health...

Best Deals on Home Furniture Online

Key Highlights Discover the best deals on high-quality outdoor furniture online. Transform your outdoor space into a stylish and comfortable oasis. Explore a wide range of d...

Discover the Best Women's Jumpers for Every Season

Key Highlights Explore lightweight jumpers for spring and summer, ensuring breathability and ease. Wrap up warm with cozy wool jumpers for the chilly autumn and winter season...

Times Magazine

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

LayBy Shopping