Desk Study on the Environment in Iraq Desk Study on the ... - UNEP

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variety of studies have been conducted by the US military to determine the potential
risks to coalition troops from fallout from the bombing of chemical, biological and nuclear
sites. Releases of chemical agents have been confirmed from Muhammadiyat and Al
Muthanna, as well as from Khamisiyah. Potential chemicals released from the sites include
blister agent mustard and a mixture of the nerve agents sarin and cyclosarin. 27 While
attempts have been made to link Gulf War syndrome to possible exposure to chemical
weapons from these sites, there is still no clear link. The long-term potential environmental
consequences of the releases were not assessed. The Armed Forces Medical Intelligence
Centre (AFMIC) also conducted monitoring for indications of possible disease outbreaks
within the local Iraqi population from possible biological weapons exposure. 28 To
date, there have been no such indications. 29
Scud missiles
Thirty fixed sites and 100 mobile facilities for Iraqi ‘scud’ missiles were struck by coalition
forces. 30 Nevertheless, 90 scuds were launched by Iraq, 31 of which 25% 32 were intercepted by
US patriot missiles. Given that the regime had stated publicly that scud missiles could be
adapted to carry nuclear, chemical or biological warheads, serious concerns were raised about
the potential fallout from the destruction of scud facilities and the missiles themselves.
Targeting of oil industry infrastructure
Five oil refineries (Southern Oil Company, Basrah refinery, North Oil Company, Dawrah/
Dora Refinery and Bayji/Beiji Refinery) and numerous tankers and ports were targeted. 33,34
Iraqi officials estimated that approximately 15 million barrels of oil and 1.5 million m 3 of
petroleum products were burnt. 35
Iraq’
aq’s s Dora oil refinery, , bombed during the 1991 Gulf War
FRANÇOISE DE MULDER - CORBIS
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<strong>Desk</strong> <strong>Study</strong>