Iran war risks long-term toxic legacy for people and nature

Iran War Risks Long-Term Toxic Legacy for People and Nature

Environmental Fallout from Regional Conflicts

As tensions escalate in the Middle East, the destruction of oil refineries and shipwrecks has sparked fears of enduring environmental consequences. These effects could impact the region’s water sources, food systems, and ecosystems for years to come. Experts highlight that strikes targeting oil infrastructure and missile installations in the US-Israeli conflict are causing alarm about a toxic aftermath that may persist even after hostilities cease.

Monitoring Environmental Damage

The Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS), based in the UK, has documented over 300 instances of possible ecological harm since the war began. This includes attacks on missile bases and oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. However, CEOBS director Doug Weir warns that these records only reflect a small portion of the total damage. “That’s just the tip of the iceberg,” he remarked. “The US claims to have hit 5,000 sites, so we’re only beginning to uncover the full scale of the issue.”

Health Impacts of Oil Facility Attacks

A recent example of these risks emerged in Tehran, where blackened rain—oil mixed with rain—blanketed the city after Israeli strikes on multiple oil plants. Smoke from the fires blanketed the capital, home to almost 10 million residents, prompting health advisories to stay indoors. Local reports noted symptoms like headaches and breathing difficulties. Zongbo Shi, a professor from the University of Birmingham, explained that the smoke likely contained harmful substances such as fine particulates, sulfur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, increasing the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, especially for vulnerable groups like children and the elderly.

Persistent Contaminants in the Environment

Damage to military and energy sites may leave behind toxic residues that linger in the environment for extended periods. Oil facilities, when bombed, can emit plumes of pollutants that travel to nearby areas, settling on roads, soil, and farmland. Attacks on missile bases also release hazardous materials like fuels, heavy metals, and PFAS, which remain dangerous long after the conflict ends. TNT, a common explosive, is classified as a potential carcinogen by the EPA and can harm plant life and human health if it remains in the soil.

Limited Transparency in Damage Assessments

Without direct on-site analysis, evaluating the extent of contamination is challenging. CEOBS relies on satellite data, radar maps, social media, and news reports to estimate environmental risks from a distance. Weir emphasized that there is little clarity on what substances are present in the targeted sites. “We know these areas may contain military materials, some of which are toxic,” he said. “But we lack specific details about the contents and what has been destroyed.”

Oil Spills Threaten Marine Ecosystems

Additionally, US-Israeli strikes on Iran’s naval assets and Tehran’s attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz heighten the risk of oil spills. The Persian Gulf hosts vital marine habitats, including seagrass beds that support fish, pearl oysters, green turtles, and the world’s second-largest population of endangered dugongs. Coastal communities dependent on seafood are also at risk as pollutants may seep into marine environments. Weir noted that such oil spills are a less visible but significant consequence of the war.