This study addressed the environmental pollution in all the environmental elements (water, soil and air) in the largest city and the capital of Iraq (Baghdad). Twenty samples from Tigris River were collected within the borders of Baghdad and analyzed for elemental concentrations and lability. Results showed that Tigris River in Baghdad is not highly polluted with regards to the heavy metals, but, most of the metals are found in the labile fractions. Selected potentially toxic elements PTEs (As, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn) in thirty eight agricultural land and playground soils were assessed for total concentration and for their potential risk to human (adults and children) using two surrogate biological fluids (SBFs) (Macrophage vacuole (MS), and gastric (GS) solutions). Results showed that the exposure to PTEs from Baghdad soils possess non cancer risk to both children and adults. 24-hour atmospheric PM2.5 integrated samples collected based on 1-in-6 sampling protocol were analyzed for the major chemical components, and biological activities (ROS production and gene expression). Results showed that PM2.5 was higher than the WHO recommended value which dominated by carbonaceous aerosols, crustal materials and sulfate. Chemical mass balance (CMB) model showed that the major sources of PM2.5 are gasoline and diesel, and that attributed to the extensive use of the electricity generators powered by gasoline and diesel due to lack of power. The water soluble reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced from the PM2.5 showed moderate correlation with the water soluble organic carbon from biomass burning (WSOC-BB); while total ROS production had good correlation with Levoglucosan, crustal materials, and some elements (such as V and Ni); these chemical species showed implication in the expression of Ccl2, Ccl4, Ccl7, Cxcl1, Il1b, Il16, and Tnf gene. Nqo1 and Hmox1 genes were associated with organic compounds when they correlate with metals (e.g. Pb).

"This document is a report of the results of a project managed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to assess contaminated sites in Iraq. The work was carried out over the period January 2004 to July 2005 in Iraq, with support activities in Jordan, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The project was managed by the UNEP Post-Conflict Branch, based in Geneva. The project was overseen by the United Nations Development Group for Iraq in its role of coordinator for the entire UN development programme within Iraq. The Iraqi Government partner was the Ministry of the Environment (MoEn). The project covers contaminated land issues at the national level and also for five individual sites selected for priority assessment."--P. 16.

This study focuses on the state of Iraq's environment following decades of armed conflict, economic sanctions and the absence of environmental management principles in national planning. It highlights options to tackle the environmental threats to human health from disrupted or contaminated water supplies, inadequate sanitation and waste systems, as well as for wider responses to address longer-term environmental risks. At present, following the conflict in March/April 2003, restoring law and order is a key priority for dealing effectively with humanitarian and environmental problems.

In July 2004, the UN Environment Programme was awarded a project for Strengthening environmental governance in Iraq through environmental assessment & capacity buildingÓ. One of the major elements of the project was to assess contaminated sites in Iraq, in partnership with Iraq's Ministry of the Environ. This report contains the findings of this project. Contents: the environmental site assessment project; country context; capacity building activities; site identification & screening; site assessment activities; Al Qadissiya results & recommendations; Al Suwaira results & recommendations; Khan Dhari results & recommendations; Al Mishraq results & recommendations; Ouireej results & recommendations; & conclusions. Illustrations.

Many veterans returning from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have health problems they believe are related to their exposure to the smoke from the burning of waste in open-air "burn pits" on military bases. Particular controversy surrounds the burn pit used to dispose of solid waste at Joint Base Balad in Iraq, which burned up to 200 tons of waste per day in 2007. The Department of Veterans Affairs asked the IOM to form a committee to determine the long-term health effects from exposure to these burn pits. Insufficient evidence prevented the IOM committee from developing firm conclusions. This report, therefore, recommends that, along with more efficient data-gathering methods, a study be conducted that would evaluate the health status of service members from their time of deployment over many years to determine their incidence of chronic diseases.

"For almost 30 years, including during the period of occupation by the US- and UK-led Coalition Provisional Authority, authorities in Iraq have failed to provide Basra's 4 million residents with safe drinking water. The water crisis came to a head in 2018, when at least 118,000 people were hospitalized with rashes, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea because of contamination of the water in the Shatt al-Arab, the river Basra sits on. A severe water shortage from upstream has led to seawater incurring into the Shatt al-Arab so that farmers have had to irrigate their land with salt water - losing most of their produce over the last decade. This continuing water crisis is a result of a complex combination of factors including mismanagement of upstream flows leading to too little water coming to Basra; pollution in Basra and further upstream, including raw sewage, garbage, oil spills, and industrial and agricultural waste; damming by neighboring Iran and Turkey; and climate change. Corruption, including by local authorities, has also led to illegal use of precious freshwater resources. Since last summer the government has refused to make public any of its investigations into why the water poisoned people. Nor has it announced any significant measures to improve the quality of water in Basra in coming years. Iraqi authorities have an obligation to secure Basrawis' right to use their land and to safe drinking water and to inform the public when water sources are unsafe. Where authorities have violated these rights, they should ensure that people can access an effective remedy against those responsible"--Page 4 of cover