As Israel's military operations in Gaza continue to wreak havoc, they have unwittingly unleashed a hidden danger: asbestos. Commonly found in older buildings, asbestos fibers are released into the air when disturbed and can cause severe health issues, including cancer, after decades of accumulation in one's lungs. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has noted that Gaza’s rubble—estimated to contain up to 2.3 million tons of contaminated debris—presents a “very, very toxic environment.”
Professor Bill Cookson, who studies mesothelioma in London, has stated that the impacts of asbestos exposure will persist for generations. As the conflict unfolds, immediate concerns for safety overshadow the long-term dangers posed by asbestos. Individuals unwittingly breathe in the small fibers, which can lead to asbestosis or aggressive lung cancer, often diagnosed too late for effective treatment.
The densely populated region, with 2.1 million people living in just 365 square kilometers, exacerbates the situation. Those living in fear of airstrikes have little capacity to manage the hidden health threats from debris inhalation. Aid workers underscore the lack of awareness about these dangers, as many prioritize survival over concerns about dust and debris.
Globally, asbestos has been banned in many countries, yet it remains a problem in historical buildings across Gaza. The UN has cautioned that efforts to clear the debris could increase the exposure risk. As reconstruction plans advance, experts highlight the discrepancy between urgent recovery needs and health risks, warning that future diseases may claim more lives than the conflict itself. The complexities of safely managing toxic materials like asbestos in a war-torn area pose significant challenges.
Professor Bill Cookson, who studies mesothelioma in London, has stated that the impacts of asbestos exposure will persist for generations. As the conflict unfolds, immediate concerns for safety overshadow the long-term dangers posed by asbestos. Individuals unwittingly breathe in the small fibers, which can lead to asbestosis or aggressive lung cancer, often diagnosed too late for effective treatment.
The densely populated region, with 2.1 million people living in just 365 square kilometers, exacerbates the situation. Those living in fear of airstrikes have little capacity to manage the hidden health threats from debris inhalation. Aid workers underscore the lack of awareness about these dangers, as many prioritize survival over concerns about dust and debris.
Globally, asbestos has been banned in many countries, yet it remains a problem in historical buildings across Gaza. The UN has cautioned that efforts to clear the debris could increase the exposure risk. As reconstruction plans advance, experts highlight the discrepancy between urgent recovery needs and health risks, warning that future diseases may claim more lives than the conflict itself. The complexities of safely managing toxic materials like asbestos in a war-torn area pose significant challenges.
