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A new study published in the Environmental Contamination and Toxicology bulletin reconfirm earlier findings that the weapons and ammunition that were used by the US and Nato in Iraq have led to a widespread health crisis, with a sharp rise in birth defects and unexplainable illnesses.

A team led by Mozhgan Savabieasfahani, an environmental toxicologist at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health conducted the study and found that there was a five-fold increase in birth defects since the occupation began.

Dr Savabieasfahani said that for the first time, there is a "footprint of metal in the population" and that there is "compelling evidence linking the staggering increases in Iraqi birth defects to neuro-toxic metal contamination following the repeated bombardments of Iraqi cities". She called the "epidemic" a "public health crisis".

According to the UK's Independent:

"The latest study found that in Fallujah, more than half of all babies surveyed were born with a birth defect between 2007 and 2010. Before the siege, this figure was more like one in 10. Prior to the turn of the millennium, fewer than 2 per cent of babies were born with a defect.

More than 45 per cent of all pregnancies surveyed ended in miscarriage in the two years after 2004, up from only 10 per cent before the bombing. Between 2007 and 2010, one in six of all pregnancies ended in miscarriage.

The new research, which looked at the health histories of 56 families in Fallujah, also examined births in Basra, in southern Iraq, attacked by British forces in 2003.

Researchers found more than 20 babies out of 1,000 were born with defects in Al Basrah Maternity Hospital in 2003, a number that is 17 times higher than recorded a decade previously.

In the past seven years, the number of malformed babies born increased by more than 60 per cent; 37 out of every 1,000 are now born with defects."

So far the governments of both of US and the UK have failed to accept any kind of responsibility, which should come as no surprise considering the fact that they have been dodging blame for genocide and war crimes since before any of us were even born.

There has still been no acknowledgement of the atomic bombs dropped in Japan, the Napalm used in Vietnam or the centuries of brutal conquest and genocide that has led up to this point.

A US Defense Department spokesperson said:

"We are not aware of any official reports indicating an increase in birth defects in Al Basrah or Fallujah that may be related to exposure to the metals contained in munitions used by the US or coalition partners.

We always take very seriously public health concerns about any population now living in a combat theatre. Unexploded ordnance, including improvised explosive devises, are a recognised hazard."

While a UK government spokesperson said there was no "reliable scientific or medical evidence to confirm a link between conventional ammunition and birth defects in Basra", adding:

"All ammunition used by UK armed forces falls within international humanitarian law and is consistent with the Geneva Convention."

It will be interesting to see how this study compares with the World Health Organizations report which is due out next month

It is likely that their report will be watered down and only offer a very superficial view of the damage that has been done.

However, despite the organizations obvious bias, their assessment is still projected to show that western intervention has had a detrimental impact on the health of the entire country.

If you have any questions or disagreements feel free to email me at jgvibes@aotmr.com

J.G. Vibes is the author of an 87 chapter counter culture textbook called Alchemy of the Modern Renaissance and host of a show called Voluntary Hippie Radio. He is also an artist with an established record label and event promotion company that hosts politically charged electronic dance music events. You can keep up with his work, which includes free podcasts, free e-books & free audiobooks at his website www.aotmr.com .