Assessment of Radiological Doses and Risks Resulted from

Depleted Uranium Contamination in the Highway War Zone in Al-

Basrah Governorate

Dr. Souad N. Al-Azzawi Amir Naji Al-Na’emi

1.0 Introduction

New types of radiological weapons represented by Depleted Uranium (DU)

ammunitions were excessively used by USA and UK armies during the war against Iraq
in 1991. The USA military depended on DU projectiles as the most preferred weapons of
war and used them against Iraqi soldiers, civilians, and military targets. The use of such
weapons was not publicly revealed until a year after [1].
DU emits ionizing radiation like alpha, and gamma. Excessive exposure to these
radiation cause serious health problems to the civilian population as well as soldiers
during (and after) the war days in Al-Basrah Governorate, especially the areas near the
highway road between Iraq and Kuwait. This area has been a major battlefield war zone
that witnessed an excessive use of DU piercing projectiles [2], [3].
DU weapons are not conventional weapons and due to their long term destructive
effects against humans and the environment, they should be prohibited by the
international law.
The main goals of this research are:
1. Assessment of the whole body radiation dose that might have been resulted from
major exposure pathways including :
 The inhalation of Depleted Uranium Dioxide Aerosols (DUDA) during 1991
war
 The re-suspension and deposition of DU radionuclides with emanation of
radon gas and its decay products from residual contaminated soil near the
destroyed Iraqi targets for the period 1991-1996 based on the radiological soil
sample analysis from 1996 field work.
2. Using the risk analysis methodology, in order to assess the radiation effects
(somatic and genetic) on the Iraqi soldiers in or near the highway war zone.
3. Conducting onsite field investigation and questionnaire, to examine and compare
the types of the commonest disease cases, medical problems, and symptoms that the
civilians in the related area are suffering from after the period of 1991 evnts.

The study area is located in Al-Basrah Governorate and its suburbs in the southern
part of Iraq. Figure (1) shows the location of Al-Basrah Governorate.

2.0 Assessment of Radiation Doses

1
2.1 Assessment of the total Annual Whole Body Radiation Doses due to DUDA
inhalation during the war in 1991 are measured from:

2.1.1 Estimation of DUDA Concentration over the Highway War Zone:

During the aggression against Iraq in 1991 war, USA and UK armies used at least 320
metric tons of DU weapons [4], [5]. Approximately 26% of DU shells impacted their
targets and exploded [6], and that 18-70% (average 44%) of DU penetrator rod will burn
and convert into DUDA [1]. About 60% of aerosolized particles are less than 5 microns in
diameter [6].
According to the personal communication with number of Iraqi Army Field
Commanders, it was estimated that about 65% of the hit targets by these weapons were
found in the Iraqi side of the conflict and about 80% of the above ratio were found in Al-
Basrah War Zone [7]. Hence, about 50% of the total hit target were located in the
highway war zone [8].
Figure (2) shows the area of the highway war zone, which is estimated to be 400 Km2
[9].
Considering the mixing height of aerosols in the atmosphere over the highway war
zone to about 250 m [10]. Thus, the concentration of DUDA in the air over the highway
war zone is measured to be 60µ g/m3.
The inhalation rate for an adult person in normal duty (usually civilian population)
and active duty (usually soldiers) equals to 23 m3/day and 30 m3/day respectively [11],
[10].
The daily DUDA concentration inside the lung can be estimated for the period of time
that DU oxides particles could remain airborne in active phase that the present study
assumed as 70 days (by taking the average of 43 war days plus 27 days that DUDA
remain airborne inactive form after the war have ended) [10].
People in the highway war zone have had inhaled the following quantities of DUDA
during this period:
 For adults in normal duty = 96.6 milligram = 0.0966gram
 For adults in active duty = 126.0 milligram = 0.126 gram

2.1.2 Estimation of Radiation Dose Resulted from Inhalation of DUDA over the Highway War
Zone:

The emission rate of alpha particles for 1 gram of U238 is 12 500 particles a second
[12]. DU used in 1991 war had only 20% of the natural content of U234 , which means that
alpha activity of uranium consists of 12 500 alpha particles from U238, plus roughly 20%
of that number from U234 [10]. The energy of alpha particles from U238 equals 4.2 Mev,
and from U234 equals 4.77 Mev [12].
Estimated daily absorbed dose per 1 gm of U238 equals 0.000725 Gy/day (based on
assumption of the mass of lungs for an adult to be 1 Kg). The biological equivalent dose
can be obtained by multiplying the absorbed dose with the quality factor which is for
alpha particles equals 20 [13]. So, the daily equivalent dose equals 0.0145 Sv/day.
The initial quantity of DUDA in the lungs is approximately decreasing because of
excretion. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) suggests that
the biological half time of DU oxides as 500 days [10], so, the total biological internal

2
dose received by lungs during a certain period of time due to the DUDA inhalation is
represented as follows [10].:
 t′    tau 
 * 1 − exp  − 0.693 *
*
Total Dose = I De *   .......... (1)
 0.693    t ′ 
Where,
I*: is the initial inhaled quantity in grams
De: is the daily equivalent dose per gram of U-238 (Sv/d)
t ′ : is the biological half time, defined as the time needed for 50% from the original
amount of substance to be excreted from the body.
tau: is the internal time considered- integrated time.
So, the total (integrated) dose for lungs at the year 1991 due to U238 and U234 for adults
in active duty in the highway war zone equals 1.318 Sv and 0.299 Sv respectively (Total
1.617 Sv).
In order to convert the organ dose (Lung Dose) into whole body dose, for lungs we
use a factor of (0.25-0.5) [10], [13]. By taking the mean of this rang we get:
1.617 Sv *0.375 = 0.606 Sv
Further, by applying the same above procedure, it can be estimated that the whole
body radiation dose from inhalation of DUDA for adults on normal duty in the highway
war zone equals 0.464 Sv.
Table (1), represents the assessed annual total whole body dose due to the inhalation
of DUDA for the period 1991-1996 for adults in both active and normal duty for the
highway war zone.
Table (1)
Estimated Annual Total Whole Body Dose due to the Inhalation of DUDA for the Period
(1991-1996), Adults in Both Active and Normal Duty for the Highway War Zone

Annual Total Whole Body Dose (Sv)

Year
Normal Duty Active Duty
1991 0.1845 0.2408
1992 0.1111 0.1450
1993 0.0670 0.0874
1994 0.0404 0.0528
1995 0.0246 0.0322
1996 0.0149 0.0194
Total (Rounded) 0.4425 0.5776

2.2 Assessment of Ingestion, Inhalation, External, and Immersion Doses due to the
Re-suspension and Emanation of DU Radionucldes from the Residual Contaminated
Soil Near the Strucks Iraqi Targets

Previous field work that were conducted in 1996 [14], [15], measured the radiological
soil sample analysis located about 0.1 m near each destroyed Iraqi target struck by DU
weapons. Taking three soil samples with three different depths 0.5 cm, 5-15 cm, 15-30 cm
are used to measure the activity concentration in Bq/Kg for the radionuclides U-235, Th-
234, and Ra-226 in soil using gamma spectrometry (High Purity Germanium Detector)
that were done in the laboratories of the Iraqi Atomic Energy Commission.

3
 In this study, the average radionuclide activity concentration in the soil for three
samples and for each radionuclide (excluding the very high measurements) at the depth of
0-30 cm were used. This should increase the accuracy of the adopted measurements.
Also, the present study considered the radiological activity concentration for U-238
and U-234 (alpha emitter) in the contaminated soil based on U-235 activity concentration
taking into consideration the ratio of Isotopic composition of DU as atoms percent, and
the specific activity of DU radionuclides.
∗
2.2.1 Assessment of Radionuclides Concentration in Air from Contaminatd Soil

Using different available mathematical model, assessment of DU radionuclides’

concentration were done to estimate:

A. Resuspension of Radionuclides from Residual Contaminated Soil.

B. Assessment of Radon –222 outdoor concentration emanated from contaminated
soil (based on Ra-226 activity concentration in soil).
∗
2.2.2 Assessment of DU Radionuclide Concentration due to Deposition Mechanism

The present study used different mathematical models for assessing DU concentration
due to deposition pathway, which may be classified into:

A. Deposition of DU Radionuclide on Vegetation.

B. Deposition of DU Radionuclide on Soil Surface.

2.2.3 Assessment of the Ingestion Dose

The environmental assessments using food-chain models to determine the doses from
the radionuclides released to the biosphere are available and most widely used [16].

A. Concentration in Pasture Animals Tissues

There are different pathways in which the radionuclides may be concentrated in

animals’ tissues, such as, the deposition of radionuclides on forage plants, or from the
uptake of the radionuclides from the soil via plant root zoning. The grazing animals may
also be consumed by the grazing animals is represented as follows [17], [18].
C feed ( animal ) = (C soil * BV 1 + Cdeposition )*Q
v + C soil * Qs .......... ( 2)
Where,
Cfeed: is the daily ingested radionuclide consumed by the grazing animals (Bq/d)
Csoil: is the concentration of radionuclide in soil (Bq/Kg)
BV1: is the soil to forage plant concentration factor
Cdeposition: is the concentration of deposited radionuclide on the forge plant (Bq/Kg)
Qv: is the average daily intake of contaminated forge ingested by the animal (Kg/d) =10
Kg/d [18].
Qs: is the average daily intake of contaminated soil by the animal (Kg/d) =2.5 Kg/d [19].


For further details, see the other paper presented in this conference by the authors.


4
 B. Concentration in Meat and Milk

The concentration of radionuclides in meat and milk depends directly on the amount
and contamination level of the food consumed by the animal [18].
The radionuclide concentration in meat is estimated as follow [18]:
C meat = C feed * FF ……….(3)
Where
Cmeat: the concentration of nuclide in animal flesh (Bq/Kg)
Cfeed: the daily ingested radionuclide consumed by grazing animal (Bq/d)
FF: the transfer coefficient to meat (d/Kg) used for the assessments of radioactive
material concentrations between the food chain isotopes that are not easy to measure from
any element from the chain [20].
Also, the radionuclide concentration in milk is estimated as follows:
Cmilk =C feed * Fm .......... ( 4)
Where
Cmilk: the concentration of radionuclide in milk (Bq/litter)
Fm: the transfer coefficient to milk (d/litter)

C. Radionuclides Concentrations in and on Vegetation Cover

The concentration of radionuclides in edible portions of vegetation cover may results

from either the uptake of radionuclides from soil to plant roots, or by the direct ingestion
of radionuclides deposited on the vegetation from contaminated air and sandstorms and
that have been consumed directly by humans.
The concentration of radionuclides in and on vegetation is conventionally modeled
as follows [17].
Cvegetable =C soil * BV 2 +C deposition .......... (5)
Where
Cvegetable: the concentration of radionuclides in and on edible portion of vegetable
(Bq/Kg)
BV2: the concentration factor in vegetation consumed by human

To estimate the effective dose equivalent for adults due to the ingestion of a certain
radionuclide in foodstuffs such as meat, milk, and vegetables, the following equation may
be used [21], [22]:
D ingestion = C foodstuff * If * ( DCF ) ingestion .......... (6)
Where,
Dingestion: the effective dose equivalent relating to ingestion of vegetables and animal
products (Sv/yr).
Cfoodstuff: the concentration of a certain radionuclide in meat (Bq/Kg), milk (Bq/litter), and
vegetable (Bq/Kg).
If: the consumption rate of appropriate foodstuffs (Kg/yr)
(DCF)ingestion: the dose conversion factor for ingestion exposure (Sv/Bq).
Table (2) represents the average consumption rate of foodstuffs by adults, while table
(3) lists the values of the concentration factors for both Bv1 and Bv2, the values of the
transfer factors (coefficients) for both FF and Fm, and the dose conversion factors for the
radionuclides used to assess the ingestion dose.

5
 Table (2)
Average Consumption Rate of Foodstuffs by Adults [23, 24]

Foodstuff Meat Milk Vegetables

Intake per Person (Kg/yr) 13 150 102

Table (3)
Concentration Factors, Transfer Factors, and the Dose Conversion Factors for the
Radionuclides Used to Assess the Ingestion Dose [18, 21]

Concentration Factor Transfer Factor Effective Dose

Conversion
In Vegetation
Radionuclide In Forage For Meat (FF) For Milk(Fm) Factor for
Consumed by
Plants1 (Bv1) (day/Kg) (day/litter) Adults (Sv/Bq)
Human2 (Bv2)
(DCF)ingestion
U-238 1*10-2 2*10-3 3*10-2 6*10-4 7.5*10-8
U-234 1*10-2 2*10-3 3*10-2 6*10-4 8.5*10-8
Ra-226 2*10-1 4*10-2 5*10-4 6*10-4 3.2*10-7
Reference [58] [58] [58] [58] [59]

By applying equations (2), (3), (4), and (5), with the digestion equation. The results
that are listed in the following tables obtained:
Table (4) shows the estimated annual maximum radionuclide concentration in pasture
animals’ tissues for the period (1991-1996).
Tables (5), and (6) point out to the estimated annual maximum radionuclide
concentrations in animal meat and milk for the period (1991-1996).
Table (7) represents the estimated annual maximum radionuclide concentrations in
vegetables that are consumed by human for the period (1991-1996) for the study area.
Tables (8), (9), and (10) illustrate the estimated annual effective equivalent dose due
to ingestion of meat, milk, and vegetable by adults in the study area for the period (1991-
1996).
Table (4)
Estimated Annual Maximum Radionuclide Concentrations in Pasture Animal Tissues
(Bq/day) for the Period (1991-1996).

Radionuclide 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991

U-238 27.174 29.6 32.321 35.258 38.461 42.042
U-234 2.52 2.761 3.012 3.286 3.585 3.911
Ra-226 29.18 31.834 34.735 37.903 41.339 45.123

Table (5)
Estimated Annual Maximum Radionuclide Concentrations in Animal Meat (Bq/Kg) for the
Period (1991-1996).

Radionuclide 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991

U-238 0.8152 0.8881 0.9693 1.0577 1.1538 1.2613
U-234 0.0756 0.08283 0.0903 0.0985 0.1075 0.1173
Ra-226 0.8754 0.955 1.042 1.137 1.24 1.3536
Table (6)

1
Bq/gm dry forage plant per Bq/gm dry soil
2
Bq/gm dry vegetation (fresh food) per Bq/gm dry soil

6
Estimated Annual Maximum Radionuclide Concentrations in Animal Milk (Bq/lit) for the
Period (1991-1996).

Radionuclide 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991

U-238 0.0163 0.1776 0.0193 0.02115 0.02307 0.0252
U-234 1.512*10-3 1.656*10-3 1.807*10-3 1.971*10-3 2.151*10-3 2.346*10-3
Ra-226 0.0175 0.0191 0.0208 0.0227 0.0248 0.027

Table (7)
Estimated Maximum Annual Radionuclide Concentrations in Vegetables (Bq/Kg)
Consumed by Humans for the Period (1991-1996).

Radionuclide 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991

U-238 1.1748 1.2801 1.3975 1.524 1.6635 1.8229
U-234 0.1083 0.1194 0.1302 0.142 0.155 0.1691
Ra-226 1.003 1.0949 1.1938 1.303 1.4219 1.550

Table (8)
Estimated Maximum Annual Effective Dose Equivalent from the Ingestion of Meat (μSv/yr)

Radionuclide 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991

U-238 0.794 0.865 0.945 1.031 1.124 1.229
U-234 0.0853 0.0915 0.0998 0.1088 0.1187 0.1296
Ra-226 3.641 3.972 4.334 4.729 5.158 5.63
Total 4.5203 4.9285 5.3787 5.8688 6.4011 6.9902

Table (9)
Estimated Maximum Annual Effective Dose Equivalent from the Ingestion of Milk (μSv/yr)

Radionuclide 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991

U-238 0.183 0.1998 0.218 0.237 0.2595 0.2837
U-234 0.0192 0.0211 0.023 0.0251 0.0274 0.0299
Ra-226 0.84 0.96 1.00 1.091 1.1904 1.2993
Total 1.042 1.1809 1.241 1.354 1.477 1.6129

Table (10)
Estimated Maximum Annual Effective Dose Equivalent from the Ingestion of Vegetables
(μSv/yr)

Radionuclide 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991

U-238 8.987 9.792 10.69 11.650 12.72 13.94
U-234 0.938 1.0351 1.128 1.2310 1.343 1.466
Ra-226 32.73 35.729 38.96 42.529 46.41 50.5
Total 42.655 46.55 50.77 55.410 60.473 65.906

2.2.4 Assessment of the Inhalation Dose

The inhalation of the airborne DU radionuclides may come from two major pathways:
First, the resuspension of DU nuclides from residual contaminated soil near the hit targets,
and secondly, from the emanation of radon gas (Rn-222) and its decay products [12].

A. Inhalation Dose due to Re-suspension Mechanism

7
The most general equation that correlates the inhalation pathway calculation is
represented as follow [21]:
Dinhalation = Cair * I * ( DCF) inhalation ………..(7)
Where,
Dinhalation: the effective dose equivalent due to the radioactive matter (Sv/yr).
Cair: the airborne radionuclide concentration (Bq/m3).
I: the inhalation rate (m3/yr), which is for adults =8400 m3/yr [23]
(DCF)inhalation: the dose conversion factor for inhalation (Sv/Bq).3
Table (11) represents the maximum annual effective dose equivalent from the
inhalation of DU radionuclide due to resuspension mechanism (mSv/yr)

Table (11)
Estimated Maximum Annual Effective Dose Equivalent from the Inhalation of DU
Radionuclides due to Re-suspension Mechanism (mSv/yr)

Radionuclide 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991

U-238 0.603 0.657 0.7178 0.783 0.854 0.932
U-234 0.0636 0.0694 0.075 0.082 0.09 0.098
Ra-226 0.0356 0.0388 0.0423 0.046 0.05 0.055
Total 0.7022 0.7644 0.834 0.911 0.994 1.085

B. Inhalation Dose due to Radon Gas (Rn-222) and its Decay Products

For both indoor and outdoor radon inhalation pathway, the effective dose equivalent
factor per unit concentration of radon or its decay products in air for adults in general
population according to the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of
Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) 1988 report equals [13]:
Effective Dose Equivalent Factor =10 n Sv/hr per Bq/m3
For risk comparison between indoor and outdoor environment, the above value is
multiplied by 0.01 [25].
Table (12) represents the maximum annual effective dose equivalent from inhalation
of Rn-222 and its decay products due to emanation mechanism.
Table (12)
Estimated Maximum Annual Effective Dose Equivalent from Inhalation of Rn-222 and its
Decay Products due to Emanation Mechanism. (mSv/yr)

Radionuclide 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991

Rn-222 and its Decay
0.8786 0.959 1.0459 1.14 1.2447 1.3578
Products (outdoor Dose)

2.2.5 Assessment of the External Dose

The external irradiation from radioactive materials on the ground makes a significant
contribution to the total dose equivalent.
In order to calculate the concentration of DU radionuclides that may have deposited
on soil surface from air in units of (Bq/m2), the values that represent the maximum

3
It is for U-238= 3.8*10-5, U-234= 4.3*10-5, and Ra-226= 2.6*10-6 [59].

8
concentration of DU radionuclides deposited on soil surface (Bq/Kg) are multiplied by the
effective surface soil density which equals 16 Kg/m2 [13].
The Dose Conversion Factor (DCF) for the body effective dose and skin dose due to
the exposure of 1 m above a uniformly contaminated plane surface for a certain
radionuclide may be represented in Table (13).

Table (13)
Body Effective Dose and Skin Dose Conversion Factors (DCF) for Certain DU
Radionuclides Exposure 1 m above Contaminated Plane Surface (Sv/yr per Bq/m2)

Dose Conversion Factor (DCF)

Radionuclide
Body Effective Dose Skin Dose
U-238 6*10-10 3*10-7
U-234 2.18*10-11 1.72*10-10
Ra-226 4.55*10-8 2.91*10-7

2.2.6 Assessment of the Immersion Dose

The exact calculation of immersion dose rate in tissue from a cloud of radioactive
material is quite complex and requires a knowledge of the radionuclide composition of the
cloud [21].
The immersion in a cloud of radon gas and its decay products make the most
significant contribution to the total dose equivalent [19].
The dose conversion factor for immersion in a cloud of radon gas (major radionuclide
contribution) in Sv/yr per Bq/m3 equals [21]:

 DCF for body effective dose: 2.53 *10-6

 DCF for skin dose: 5.08*10-6

2.2.7 Assessment of the Whole Body Radiation Dose

The assessment of the whole body radiation dose resulting from the use of Depleted
Uranium weapons due to the re-suspension – emanation mechanism are measured based
on the existence of three levels of destroyed targets. First represents the maximum dose.
The two other targets represent the average dose and the minimum dose respectively.
In the current assessment, the minimum dose is taken to represent 6% of the
maximum dose. This assumption is based on the fact that the approximate DU weight in
the used projectiles and shells during the war is about 5 Kg4. This shell is considered to
have constituted the maximum dose, while the 300 grams of DU shell fired from US
airplanes is taken as a source of the minimum dose.
Table (14) represents the annual total whole body dose and the inhalation dose
received by adults in the study area for the period (1991-1996) due to one destroyed target
with three dose levels (maximum, average, and minimum). From this table, it is apparent
that the inhalation dose represents 89% from the total whole body dose.
Table (14)
Estimated Annual Total Whole Body Dose and the Inhalation Dose due to One Destroyed
Target with Three Dose Levels (Maximum, Average, and Minimum) Received by Adults in
the Study Area for the Period (1991-1996)
4
Fired from the US and UK tanks

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 Exposure Type Dose Type 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
Outdoor Inhalation of Max. 00.878 00.959 01.045 01.14 001.244 01.357
Rn-222 and its Decay Ave. 00.465 00.508 00.553 00.604 000.659 00.719
Products (mSv) Min. 00.052 00.057 00.062 00.068 000.075 00.0814
Inhalation of Other U- Max. 00.702 00.764 00.834 00.911 000.994 01.085
238 Decay Series Ave. 00.372 00.404 00.442 00.482 000.526 00.575
Radionuclides (mSv) Min. 00.0421 00.0458 00.05 00.0546 000.059 00.0651
Ingestion Dose Max. 04.520 04.928 05.378 05.868 006.401 06.990
(Meat) Ave. 02.395 02.612 02.850 03.110 003.392 03.704
(μSv) Min. 00.271 00.295 00.322 00.352 000.384 00.419
Ingestion Dose Max. 01.0425 01.1809 01.241 01.354 001.477 01.613
(Milk) Ave. 00.552 00.625 00.657 00.717 000.782 00.854
(μSv) Min. 00.0625 00.070 00.074 00.0812 000.089 00.0962
Ingestion Dose Max. 42.655 46.550 50.771 55.410 060.470 065.906
(Vegetables) Ave. 22.607 24.671 26.908 29.367 032.050 034.930
(μSv) Min. 02.559 00.793 03.046 03.324 003.628 003.954
External Dose – Total Max. 69.486 76.383 82.944 90.922 099.192 108.224
Body and Skin Dose Ave. 36.827 40.481 43.96 98.188 052.571 057.358
(μSv) Min. 04.169 04.582 04.976 05.455 005.951 006.493
Immersion Dose – Max. 76.27 83.32 90.85 99.08 108.080 117.450
Total Body and Skin Ave. 40.423 44.159 48.178 52.56 57.345 062.561
Dose (Rn-222) (μSv) Min. 04.57 04.992 05.446 05.942 6.483 07.073
Total Whole Body Max. 01.773 01.935 02.111 02.303 2.513 02.741
Dose Ave. 00.940 01.025 01.118 01.220 1.331 01.452
(mSv) Min. 00.1064 00.116 00.1266 00.1381 0.1507 00.1644
Max. 01.58 01.723 01.879 02.05 2.237 02.441
Inhalation Dose
Ave. 00.837 00.912 00.994 01.085 1.184 01.292
(mSv)
Min. 00.0941 00.1033 00.112 00.122 0.1333 00.145

3.0 Assessment of Risk on Iraqi Army Soldiers

According to our previous work (Table 1), the calculated annual total whole body
radiation dose that might have resulted from the inhalation of DUDA for adult persons in
active duty (usually soldiers) for the period of (1991-1996) in the highway war zone that
are equal to 0.5776(Sv).
In order to assess the possible health effects that might have occured due to these
doses and because it was very difficult to assess the real numbers of the Iraqi army
soldiers that were exposed in the study area, the assessment of risk were done per 1000
Iraqi soldier.
By mutiplying the collective effective dose equivalents with the UNSCEAR risk
coefficients for a certain effect (fatal and non-fatal cancer and also genetic effects), the
following health effects were assessed:
For each 1000 Iraqi soldiers in active duty that have been exposed to DU particles in
the highway war zone in 1991, about 58 Iraqi soldiers have had a fatal cancer, and about 6
Iraqi soldiers should have each of non-fatal cancer and genetic effects types of diseases.

4.0 Assessing the Risk through Field Investigation

To check the actual health effects of radiological pollution on the population of the
study site compared to the measured risk assessment, an extensive field investigation has

10
been conducted to examine the different types and trends of the related diseases in the
area. Also, to monitor any increase in the related medical records and symptoms, the
civilians are suffering from during the last ten years.
One of the important fairly populated residential area to the west of Safwan City is
Al-Jwareen village (or Al-Sumood Quarter)5. During the aggression against Iraq, this area
witnessed a very high military operations and were considered a major battlefield war
zone. Al-Jwareen village includes about 200-220 simply brick constructed houses.
The questionnaire paper shown in Figure (4) have been randomly distributed to about
one hundred families lived in this area in April 2001.
About 25% of the total number of families stayed in the area during the 1991 war
events. Other families left to Al-Basrah or other closed by governorates.
The number of families that were participated in this questionnaire represents one
hundred families with 650 persons included in.
Among the total number of people of less than 10 years old is 232 persons only.
Table (15) summerizes the patient incidence cases specified from the questionnaire
conducted in Al-Jwareen village.

Table (15)
Patient Incidence Cases Specified from the Questionnaire Conducted in Al-Jwareen Village.

Type Incidence No.

 Leukemia 3
 Lung Cancer 4
 Breast Cancer 4
 Bone Cancer 2
 Skin Cancer 7
 Uterus Cancer 3
 Other Cancer Cases 6 4
 Birth Defects 8
 Impaired Growth 3
 Mental Retardation 2
 Infertility 11
 Abortion 24
 Sensible Skin Disease(Sensitivity) 71

In order to compare the average patient cases those are specified from the
questionnaire with the normal incidence rate for the same registered patient cases types in
the hospitals of Al-Basra in 19907. Table (16) shows the frequency distribution of cancer
cases, birth defects, and abortion in Basrah according to the site in 1990 [26, 27, 28, 29].

Table (16)
Distribution of Cancer Cases, Birth Defects, and Abortion in Basrah According to the Site
in 1990

Type Incidence No.

 Leukemia 16
 Lung Cancer 30
5
. A district that is located between the center of Safwan city and Jabal Sanam as we can see from figure (3).
6
Other cancer cases: one case for each of (lymphoma, thyroid, prostate, and bladder).
7
A year before the war started.

11
  Breast Cancer 49
 Bone Cancer 17
 Skin Cancer 54
 Uterus Cancer 15
 Birth Defects 3.04 incidence rate per 1000 new born
 Abortion 50 incidence rate per 1000 pregnancy case

The statistical analysis of the survey results were done to compare between incidence
probability before and after the war. The estimated population of Al-Basrah Governorate
in 1990 was 1 204 734 persons [30]. Hence, from table (14) each certain patient type per
1000 persons of the population of Basrah before the war can be obtained.
The average incidence ratio for each certain case mentioned in table (15) per 1000
persons of the sample in the area of the questionnaire after the war can be calculated.
For birth defects and abortion (miscarriage) cases, the estimations of the average
incidence ratio are based on the number of the population that are less than 10 years old
(from the questionnaire) and that were born during the period between (1991-2000) in
addition to the registered cases from the questionnaire.
The estimated incidence ratio is denoted by the probability of succeedence (P), or
incidence occurrence.
For extraordinary events, the experiment that gives a number of succeedence in a
certain time interval or space area is called Poisson type.
Since the sample size (n) is large, and the incidence ratio (P) is small, the binomial
distribution can be approximated by Poisson type with [31], [32]:
λ = np
Where λ represents the average occupancy (incidence) in a given time interval or area
of a region.
The comparison of the probability of the average incidence occurrence before and
after the war according to Poisson distribution might be represented in figure (5). From
this Figure, it is clear that there is a significant increase in the average occurrence for the
period after the war in comparison with that before the war.

5.0 Results and Discussion

In order to assess the whole body radiation dose that a person in the study area might
receive as a result of different internal and external exposure to DU radionuclides. The
present work concentrates on two major exposure pathways; First, the inhalation of
DUDA of adults in both active and normal duty during 1991. The second exposure
pathway is the re-suspension and deposition of DU redionuclides with the emanation of
radon gas and its decay products from residual contaminated soil near the destroyed
targets with assessing the ingestion, inhalation, external, and immersion doses that might
resulted from this mechanism. The assessment of this pathway is based on the
radiological soil sample measurements from field work studies in 1996.
The comparison between the estimated total annual whole body radiation doses due to
DUDA inhalation mechanism for adults in both active and normal duty for Al-Basrah
War Zone [32], we can see that the adults in the Highway War Zone have received
additional doses (almost the double) than the adults in the total area of Al-Basrah War
Zone have received. This have been resulted from the fact that this area has been a major
battle field war zone that witnessed an excessive use of DU piercing projectiles in spite of

12
that the area of the highway war zone represent only 20% of the total area of Al-Basrah
War Zone.
From the assessed doses that have resulted from different major exposure pathways, it
is seen that the inhalation pathway represents the most important pathway in which DU
weapons can cause the adverse effects on the population in the study area, which it is for
the two major exposure pathways, represents 100% for the DUDA inhalation mechanism,
and 89% for the resuspension-emanation mechanism, while the previous study conducted
in this area [8] and for the second mechanism only, the inhalation pathway represents
99% from the total whole body doses.
The assessment of the ingestion doses has included the estimated radionuclides
concentrations in pasture animals from the uptake of the radionuclides from the soil via
plant root zone and the direct ingestion of radionuclides in edible portion of vegetation by
the human.
The statistical analysis results of the medical field Questionnaire that have been
conducted in Al-Jwareen village, show a significant increase in the average incidence
ratio for different health effects case numbers that have related to ionizing radiation for
the period following the aggression on Iraq, as compared to the same registered cases in
1990 (a year before the war started).
We believe that the real health effects cases resulted from the questionnaire have
increased by 20-30% due to the rural nature of the study area (far away villages with no
statistical or medical care).
Although the number of 1990 cases represents only the registered incidences in the
hospitals of Basrah that year, the real incidence number in some disease types could be
more than the registered cases. Due to the great differences in the incidence ratio per 1000
person or in the average incidence occurrence in cases before and after the war, it is
believed that the increase still exists.
The Questionnaire has been conducted to 100 family living in Al-Jwareen village, this
sample number might not be fully representative, so, an increase in the sample size may
lead to an increase in the accuracy of the analysis, and the comparison between the
assessed measured risk results with the Questionnaire results.
The calibration of the measured and assessed risk models conducted in the present
work with the site specific survey results has indicated that the total expected fatal cancer
cases in the study area and for the two major pathways studied in this work are still high
as compared to the Questionnaire analysis results. At the same time, the site specific
survey shows a remarkable increase in non-fatal cancer cases, especially skin cancer that
represents 26% of the total number of cancer cases; and is considered as the highest
cancer case among all the other solid cancers. The sensible skin disease cases that
represents 10.92% of the total civilian sample size may be developed later into other skin
cancer.
Also, from the field investigations in the study area, it is noticeable that the grazing
animals are suffering from sudden deaths with significant high numbers, especially the
area animals such as; sheep, cows, and goats that have been pasturing in (or near) the
military operation area. This may be a serious indication of the contamination of the
natural pasture and soil by DU weapons and the toxicological and radiological effects of
these weapons.

6.0 Conclusions

13
The major conclusions that can be derived from this study are:
1. The calculated total annual whole body dose to DUDA inhalation mechanism for
the period 1991-1996, for an adult person in both normal and active duty in the
highway war zone is 0.4425 Sv and 0.577 Sv respectively.
2. The inhalation dose that could be received by adults in Al-Basrah war zone regions
for the period 1991-1996 represents 89% of the total annual whole body dose due to
re-suspension – emanation mechanism only, while, ingestion, external, and
immersion doses represent 2.719%, 3.919%, and 3.401% respectively (fatal, non-
fatal, and genetic effects).
3. The assessment of the expected overall detriment risk for each 1000 Iraqi soldiers
who have participated in 1991 conflict and have been exposed to DUDA particles
(with a biological half time of 500 days) in the highway war zone is 70 cases, and
the fatal cancer cases only represented 58 cases.
4. The analysis of the site specific survey results shows that the registered number of
cancer cases represents 4.153% of the total civilians sample size. Also, the
Leukemia cases represent 11% of the total cancer cases number, while the birth
defects represent 3.44% of the families’ newborn. The miscariage cases represent
10% of the total pregnancy cases among the families.
5. The statistical comparison of the questionnaire results with the same 1990
registered cases in Al-Basrah Governorate shows that the above cases have
significantly risen for the period after the war as compared with that before the war.

7.0 Recommendations

1. Conducting general medical scanning for the civilians in Al-Basrah Governorate

(especially the study area). This scanning should include examining the commonest
disease that might be attributed to ionizing radiation for the period followed the war
events in 1991. This scanning should be conducted by special teams from the Iraqi
Ministry of Health with a possible assistance from the International Organizations.
2. Further researches are needed to deal with the changes in grazing animals
distribution in Al-Basrah Governorate, in an attempt to find out exactly the main
reasons that might have led to the sudden deaths of them especially the animals that
pastured in or near the military operation area.
3. Conducting further studies from the clinical and medical point of view, with the
aim of trying to correlate the existence of the commonest disease cases to DU
weapons effects.
4. The diseases, medical problems, and symptoms that the Iraqi soldiers (and their
children) who have participated in the war in 1991 are suffering from, should be
studied and correlated to the exposure of DU radionuclides.
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[1] Vladimir, S. Zagic, “Review of Radioactivity, Military Use, and

Healthical Effects of Depleted Uranium”, July 1999. (All are presented as
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[2] Livingston, Hugh, “Depleted Uranium in the Gulf”, the Edge Gallery,
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Information Site [IRIS])

14
[3] Depleted Uranium Education Project, “Metal of Dishonor”, International
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[4] W. G. Slinn, “Parameterization for Re-suspension of Particles and

Gases for Use in Radiation Dose Calculation”, Nuclear Safety, Volume
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[5] Rasalie Bertell, “Gulf War Veterans and Depleted Uranium”, prepared
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[6] Bukowski, G. and Lopez, D., “Uranium Battlefields Home and Abroad”,
Depleted Uranium Use by the US Department of Defence, New Mexico,
1993.

[7] Iraqi Army Field Commanders, Personal Communication.

‫ "تأثير استخدام السلحة الشعاعية على النسان‬،‫ احمد جدعان‬،‫[ مكوار‬8]

،‫ اطروحة ماجستير‬،"‫والبيئة الحية في مناطق منتخبة من جنوب العراق‬
.1998 ،‫ جامعة بغداد‬،‫ كلية الهندسة‬،‫قسم الهندسة البيئية للدراسات العليا‬

[9] Gulf War Resources Center, “Primary Areas of DU Expenditure”, USA,

1999.

[10] Neboysha, L., “Environmental Impact on Humans During the Gulf

War”, Communication Between Professor Neboysha and Professor
Sharma, 1999. (All are Presented as in Internet).

[11] International Commission on Radionuclide Protection (ICRP), Publication

31, “Biological Effects of Inhaled Radionuclide”, Volume 4, Number 1,2,
1980.

[12] Ronald, L. Kathren, ”Radioactivity in the Environment”, First Edition,

Hawood Academic Publishers, 1984.

[13] United Nations, “Sources, Effects, and Risks of Ionizing Radiation ”,

1988 Report, Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation
UNSCEAR, UN, New York, 1988.

،‫ مقدام محمود‬،‫ وصالح‬،‫ بهاء الدين حسين‬،‫ ومعروف‬،‫ سعاد ناجي‬،‫[ العزاوي‬14]
‫" تأثير‬،‫ وليد مجيد‬،‫ والحلي‬،‫ احمد جدعان‬،‫ ومكوار‬،‫ محمد عبد الواحد‬،‫والساجي‬
‫استخدام العدوان المريكي الصهيوني السلحة الشعاعية ضد‬
‫ قسم‬،‫ تقرير فني غير منشور‬،" 1991 ‫النسان والبيئة في العراق عام‬
.1997 ،‫ جامعة بغداد‬، ‫ كلية الهندسة‬،‫الهندسة البيئية للدراسات العليا‬

‫ "تأثير استخدام السلحة الشعاعية على التربة‬،‫ وليد مجيد‬،‫[ الحلي‬15]

‫ أطروحة ماجستير في‬،"‫والهواء في مناطق منتخبة من جنوب العراق‬

15
 ‫ جامعة‬، ‫ كلية الهندسة‬،‫ قسم الهندسة البيئية للدراسات العليا‬،‫الهندسة البيئية‬
.1998 ،‫بغداد‬

[16] A Joint Report Prepared by US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and

Commission of European Communities, “Probabilistic Accident
Consequences Uncertainty Analysis”, Food Chain Uncertainty
Assessment, Volume 1, 1998.

[17] International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), “The Environmental

Behavior of Radium”, Technical Report Series, Volume 2 No. 310,
Vienna, 1990.

[18] IAEA, “Generic Models and Parameters for Assessing the

Environmental Transfer Radionuclides from Routine Release”, Safety
Series, Number 57, Vienna, 1982.

[19] Reto Zach, and Keith Mayoh, “Soil Ingestion by Grazing Animals: a
Neglected Pathway”, Health Physics, Volume 46, Number 2, Pergamon
Press Ltd.

[20] Y. C. Ng, “A Review of Transfer Factors for Assessing the Dose from
Radionuclides in Agricultural Products”, Nuclear Safety, Volume 23,
Number 1, 1982.

[21] IAEA, “The Application of Principles for Limiting Releases of

Radioactive Effluents in the Case of the Mining and Milling of
Radioactive Ores”, Safety Series, Number 90, Vienna, 1989.

[22] Simonds, J. R., and Linsley, G. S., “A Dynamic Modeling System for the
Transfer of Radioactivity in Terrestrial Food Chains”, Nuclear Safety,
Volume 22, Number 6, 1981.

[23] International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP),

“Radionuclide Release into the Environment; Assessment of Doses to
Man”, Publication 29, Volume 2, Number 2, 1979.

[24] Russell, R. Scott, “Radioactivity and Human Diet”, First Edition,

Pergamon Press Ltd., 1966.

[25] Anthouy V. Nero, “Risk of Lung Cancer from Exposure to Radon Decay
Products: A Brief Review”, Atmospheric Environment, pp. 2205-2211,
Pergamon Press Ltd., 1988.
[26] Iraqi Cancer Board, “Results of Iraqi Cancer Registry Center”, Ministry
of Health – WHO, Baghdad, Iraq, 1999.

[27] Alim A. H. Yacoub, Genan C. Hassan, and Imad Al-Sadoon, “Depleted

Uranium and Health of People in Basrah: An Epidemiological
Evidence”, The Incidence and Pattern of Malignant Diseases in Basrah

16
 ‫‪1990-1998, The Medical Journal of Basrah University, 1999.‬‬

‫]‪ [28‬قسم الحصاء‪ ،‬وزارة الصحة‪" ،‬أعداد المرضى الراقدين في مستشفيات‬

‫محافظة البصرة"‪ ،‬مركز الحاسبة الليكترونية ‪.1999 ،‬‬

‫]‪ [29‬مؤتمر الورام الول‪" ،‬المؤتمر العلمي المشترك السادس لدائرة صحة‬
‫البصرة وكلية الطب في جامعة البصرة لبيان آثار العدوان المريكي‬
‫الثم واستخدامه السلحة الشعاعية المحرمة"‪ ،‬البصرة‪ 24-23 ،‬شباط‪،‬‬
‫‪.2000‬‬

‫]‪ [30‬الجهاز المركزي للحصاء‪ ،‬هيئة التخطيط‪.2000 ،‬‬

‫]‪[31‬‬ ‫‪Spiegal, “Statistics Theory and Problems”, Second Edition, Schaum‬‬

‫‪Series, 1986.‬‬

‫]‪[32‬‬ ‫‪Schcaffer and Mc Clane, “Probability and Statistics for Engineers”, John‬‬
‫‪Wiley and Sons, 1981.‬‬

‫‪17‬‬
 Figure (1)
Location of Al-Basrah Governorate

Figure (2)
Area of the Study Area Showing the Highway Zone in Al-Basrah Governorate

18
 Figure (3)
Location of the Questionnaire Area

100

10

1
Average Incidence Number

0.1 Before the War (1990)

Post the War (Questionnaire)

0.01

0.001
Leukemia Lung Breast Bone Skin Uterus Birth Abortion
Cancer Cancer Cancer Cancer Cancer Defects
Figure
Type (5)

Comparison of the Probability of Average Incidence Occurance Before and After the
War According to Poisson’s Distribution

19
 Questionnaire
Address: Code:
 Governorate:  Qadaa:  Nahyaa:
1. Family Name:  No.
2. Number of Family Members:
3. Number of Family Members under 10 Years Old:
4. Has the family been living in the same habitation location since 1991?
Yes No

5. Did the family leave the area during the immortal Um-Al-Ma’aric war in
Yes No
1991?
6. Did any member of the family die or suffer from any type of cancer case
Yes No
during (1991-2000)?
 If the answer of Question 6 is YES, please answer the following:
 A. Type of cancer case:
 B. Age:
 C. Date of cancer incidence occurrence:
 D. Sex Male Female
 E. Is there any cancer-related history in the family?
Yes No
 F. Other…..
7. Has there been any mental retardation cases in the family since 1991?
Yes No

 Age  Year  Sex

8. Have there been any congenital malformation (or birth defects) cases in
Yes No
the family new-borns since 1991?
 Age  Year
9. Has there been any impaired growth case in the family since 1991?
Yes No

 Age  Year  Sex

10. Have all the married couples had children since 1991?
Yes No

11. Has there any abortion case been recorded in the family since 1991?
Yes No

 Age  Year
12. Has there been any common disease in the family since 1991?
Yes No

 If the answer of Question 12 is YES, what are these diseases?

 Age  Year  Sex
 A.
 B.

Figure (4)
Distributed Questionnaire

20