Today, Saturday, the Green Iraq Observatory warned of a serious deterioration in the water quality of the Tigris River, confirming the monitoring of high levels of highly dangerous organic pollutants that pose a direct threat to the health of millions of citizens in four main governorates: Baghdad, Wasit, Maysan, and Basra.
The Observatory explained, in a statement, that the aforementioned governorates depend mainly on the water of the Tigris River, even though it contains industrial and agricultural organic pollutants that are classified among the most dangerous to health and environment, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and phthalates (DEHP), in addition to volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
He stated that these substances are associated with serious health risks, including cancer, endocrine disorders, and liver and kidney damage, in addition to their devastating effects on the ecosystem, pointing out the difficulty of treating or removing them through traditional water purification plants.
The observatory pointed out that pollution of the river begins in the capital, Baghdad, before extending to the governorates located south of it, which in turn contributes to increasing pollution rates, albeit at lower rates, stressing that this situation directly reflects on human health and living organisms associated with the river.
The statement revealed the issuance of a recent official report from one of the relevant ministries, which was prepared under the guidance of higher authorities to assess the quality of drinking water in Baghdad, but it was withheld after it was submitted, due to the results it contained that were described as catastrophic regarding the level of pollution of the Tigris water, which is used as a primary source for daily consumption.
The Green Iraq Observatory called for urgent action to address the crisis, warning that the Tigris River would turn into an open dumping ground for waste, and stressing the importance of taking quick measures to preserve what remains of its water and ensure its suitability for human use in the capital and other provinces.
