Oil, war and health

2003/04/01 Roa Zubia, Guillermo - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Osasuna
• Etika

Wells are being burned. Therefore, the oil present will be lost without being exploited by anyone, neither Iraqis nor Americans. This has a strategic importance in this war.

But does it have anything to do with science? According to many reflections published in the United States in recent weeks, the issue of wells is a public health problem. That is, Americans want to denounce the health damage caused by burning oil.

Petroleum smoke contains a wide variety of particles and substances, mostly hazardous to health. Dangerous both by respiratory and skin contact. In addition, when the generated coal reaches the soil, if it is filtered from sediments to drinking water, it can produce some poisoning. Moreover, it is impossible to guess what it can mean in the long run.

This type of information is being disclosed by Americans. And that information is true. However, knowing that we are in war, its spread is quite cynical.

We should analyze what kind of weapons the Allies use; in addition to directly killing people, probably depleted uranium or any other kind of substances are being dispersed in Iraq. Now we can't say this, maybe we have to wait ten years to find out. But so far, in all wars all the means have been used to kill and make people sick. And this war will be no exception.

Do we have to worry about the fire of oil? As a science disseminator I am more concerned that a war is underway.

Opinion piece for Herri Irratia.