Pollution caused by oil production in Iraq is the leading cause of increased rates of cancer in parts of the country; its environment minister has acknowledged.
Oil Production and Gas Flaring in Iraqi
Minister Jassem al-Falahi has acknowledged that pollution from oil production is the main reason for increases in local cancer rates.
After a BBC Arab research on oil pollution in the vicinity of Basra, which has resulted in an upsurge in leukemia cases in areas closest to the region's oil resources, Jassem Al-Falahi revealed the statement.
The information was disclosed despite Prime Minister Mustafa Al-order Kadhimi's prohibiting public workers in Iraq from discussing health issues associated with the oil sector.
Al-Falahi claimed that the Ministry of Oil prohibited personnel from the Ministry of the Environment from keeping track of pollution levels at the Rumaila oil field, the biggest in the nation and the location of the majority of waste gas flare-ups.
His remarks followed a BBC Arabic research that found populations around oil sites near Basra have a higher risk of leukemia than the general population.
Gas flaring, the wasteful burning of gas created during oil drilling, is suspected to be to blame in these towns. Pollutants like benzene linked to cancer are produced during flare-ups.
The environment department spoke to the BBC's HARDtalk show despite a secret directive from the prime minister of Iraq, which was seen by BBC Arabic, prohibiting its staff from discussing the harm that pollution does to people's health.
Findings also directly conflict with earlier statements made by the oil minister, Ihsan Abdul-Jabbar Ismail, to BBC Arabic, in which he disputed any connections among rates of cancer and environmental pollution from oil.
People in Basra who live close to oil deposits have long assumed that the increased numbers of leukemia in their area are caused by pollutants blasted mostly on oil fields. The deadly mixture of carbon dioxide, methane, and black soot that is released from these flared sites is extremely damaging.
Cancer Linked to Pollution
The BBC conducted the first testing for pollution monitoring among the populations who were exposed as part of the initial inquiry. The findings showed significant levels of chemical exposure that can cause cancer.
Al-Falahi also disclosed that perhaps the oil minister had recently barred his workers from performing air quality monitoring inspections at the biggest oil field, Rumaila, in his press conference with HARDtalk Arabic.
The Iraqi government owns the Rumaila oil field, which flares larger gas than every other oil well in the world. The field's principal contractor, BP, stated that it is very concerned by the BBC's findings.
Similarly, the BBC Arabic team was denied entry permission to Rumaila all through their investigative process. Here in Rumaila, no one really speaks out, said Ali Hussein Julood, a 19-year-old childhood leukemia survivor from North Rumaila. Those who have said they're afraid to speak out in particular instance they get detached.
Al-Falahi stated that the situation has changed and there is already larger cooperation among the ministers. He stated that the government agencies would collaborate to levy fines or file lawsuits against every corporation, either local or international, that had induced harm to the environment.
Despite numerous demands to the oil firms that work at the sites, none of the communities interviewed by BBC Arabic during the inquiry had received payment for their health problems.
This BBC News Arabic research from the front lines of global warming in Iraq reveals the fatal impact of the petroleum giants' toxic emissions on young kids as well as the living things.
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