Iraq: How the Oil Industry Is Making Iraqis Sick

Dec 10, 2021 | TRT World
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Oil is the main driver of Iraq’s economy, but at human and environmental costs. In Iraq’s southern city of Basra, the cancer rate has been growing at an alarming rate since the last decade. The Ministry of Health recorded 2,000 such cases annually. In one village of 130 households alone, there are about 40 cancer cases and many of them are children, according to the province's mayor. Among other illnesses are chest pain, asthma and hypertension.