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Across the southern Iraqi province of Maysan, a disturbing trend is emerging as families resort to storing their drinking water in discarded oil barrels, sold to them under the false pretence of safety. This alarming practice has sparked a public health crisis, drawing attention to the dire consequences of unchecked industrial waste in some of the country’s most vulnerable communities.
A Desperate Choice
In the rural heart of Maysan, Haider, a father of three, stands near a large blue barrel in his courtyard. Four years ago, he purchased it from a scrapyard, believing the seller’s claims that it was a “clean” container from an oil company, suitable for potable water. “It was the cheapest option available,” he recalls, reflecting on the tough financial decisions that have defined his family’s life.
Over time, however, Haider noticed a disturbing shift. On hot days, the water began to emit a foul odour, and a slimy residue formed inside the barrel, despite his repeated efforts to clean it. His concerns intensified when he learned from environmental activists that these barrels, initially designed for chemicals, were far more hazardous than he had been led to believe. “I had no idea that what I was using to store my children’s drinking water was a ticking time bomb,” he admits, his voice laced with anguish.
Now, he restricts the barrel’s use to non-drinking purposes, but the damage may already be done. “Every morning I wake up terrified. What have I done to my children?” he laments. “It haunts me to think of the potential health problems we could face because of this.”
The Trade of Toxicity
The grim reality does not end with individual stories of despair. A worker from a Chinese oil company shared insights into how these hazardous barrels infiltrate everyday life. For years, some employees and local contractors have been selling these containers outside oil fields, often under dubious circumstances. “They’re sold for cash or through bartering,” he explained, adding that even some oil police officers have, perhaps unwittingly, encouraged locals to use these barrels for drinking, thus giving them a false sense of legitimacy.
In Maysan, engineer “Ahmed” highlighted the insidious nature of the problem, noting that washing these barrels does not eliminate the toxic residues that remain embedded in their surfaces. “These chemicals can leach into the water over time, exposing families—especially children—to serious health risks,” he warned. Despite numerous warnings from his department, the absence of regulations to govern the sale of these barrels leaves the public at constant risk.
A Broader Environmental Catastrophe
The ramifications of oil pollution extend beyond the barrels to the very fabric of the community. Kazem, a fisherman in his fifties, recalls a time when his family thrived off the marshlands, catching fish and raising buffalo. “Now, the land is barren, and the water is poisoned,” he says, disillusionment etched across his face.
He now works as a contractor in the oil industry, earning a meagre wage that barely sustains his family. “The very industry that destroyed our livelihoods is the one I now depend on, and it doesn’t even cover our basic needs,” he reflects bitterly. Nighttime brings further anguish; Kazem’s children suffer from respiratory issues as fumes from flaring oil wells infiltrate their home. The threats they face are multifaceted—air pollution and contaminated water combine to create a toxic environment.
Residents have voiced their concerns through protests and complaints to local authorities, but little has changed. “We have sent countless letters, yet no action has been taken,” Kazem laments. “Our land is shrinking, and we feel abandoned.”
The Government’s Silence
A 2023 report by the Integrity Commission revealed the seizure of over 6,500 barrels of toxic waste left exposed at the Lukoil site in Basra, despite the existence of a lucrative contract for their disposal. The report described these barrels as a direct threat to public health, yet the government response remains tepid at best.
While the Ministry of Water Resources claims that oil exploration does not threaten the environment, activists like Mustafa Hashim argue that the situation is dire. “We are surrounded by oil fields, and yet our pleas for help go unanswered,” he says. “Children are getting ill, and we are left to fend for ourselves.”
As the oil industry expands its reach into Maysan, reliable data on contamination levels and health impacts remains elusive. A study from the University of Basra has shown alarming levels of heavy metals in local water sources, yet official statistics fail to capture the gravity of the situation.
Why it Matters
The ongoing public health crisis in Maysan is a stark reminder of the human cost of industrial negligence. Families are trapped in a cycle of poverty and health risks, forced to make desperate choices that jeopardise their lives and well-being. The failure of authorities to address these issues not only puts lives at risk but also highlights a troubling disregard for the environment and public health. As the situation worsens, the need for accountability and action becomes more urgent. In a region already ravaged by conflict and instability, the people of Maysan deserve better than to be collateral damage in the oil industry’s relentless march forward.
