Military conflicts release catastrophic environmental toxins that persist long after fighting ends, threatening drinking water, air quality, and food systems across entire regions for generations. The ongoing Iran war has already triggered over 400 environmentally concerning incidents, including burning oil depots, sunken tankers, and strikes on chemical facilities that release toxic compounds into the atmosphere and water supplies .

What Toxic Chemicals Are Being Released Into the Air and Water?

When military strikes hit oil and gas infrastructure, they unleash a dangerous cocktail of pollutants. The most visible sign came when black rain fell near Tehran after airstrikes on fuel depots and refineries. This oily, acidic rain formed when soot, ash, and toxic chemicals combined with water droplets in the atmosphere . The health consequences are serious and varied.

The specific contaminants released include:

• Microscopic Soot Particles: These tiny particles penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, raising risks of lung disease and heart problems in exposed populations.
• Heavy Metals: Fallout from explosions can contaminate soil and water supplies with lead, mercury, and other metals that accumulate in the body over time.
• Toxic Industrial Chemicals: Strikes on ammonia-producing plants for fertilizer release absolutely toxic and harmful chemicals if they spread into populated areas .
• Greenhouse Gases: The U.S. military alone released almost 2 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases in just the first six days of the war, according to carbon accounting platform Greenly .

"All the burning of oil and gas fields in the coastal areas, all the ships that are there, the oil tankers that are being burned or sunk, all of these mean pollution," said Kaveh Madani, director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health. "For someone like me who has fought for sustainability and protection of the environment in that region, this is like going many years backward."

Kaveh Madani, Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health

Why Is Drinking Water Infrastructure at Such High Risk?

Countries in the arid Persian Gulf region depend on hundreds of desalination plants to convert seawater into drinking water, making these facilities critical infrastructure. When military strikes damage these plants or pollute water sources, the consequences ripple through entire populations . Iran has already reported that a U.S. airstrike damaged one of its desalination plants, while neighboring Bahrain accused Iran of damaging one of its facilities .

The vulnerability runs deeper than direct strikes. Oil and debris from sunken ships could clog desalination plant filters, while attacks on power plants could knock water treatment systems offline entirely. For a region that already struggles with water scarcity even during peacetime, any damage to water infrastructure creates long-lasting public health crises .

"People in the region struggle with having access to clean drinking water, even at peace times," explained Madani. "Any damage to water infrastructure can have long-lasting impacts."

Kaveh Madani, Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health

How to Protect Your Health During Environmental Crises

While the immediate crisis unfolds in the Middle East, understanding how environmental toxins spread and how to reduce exposure is valuable knowledge for anyone living near industrial areas, ports, or regions affected by conflict or natural disasters.

• Monitor Air Quality Alerts: Use real-time air quality apps and official government alerts to know when pollution levels spike, and stay indoors with windows closed during high-pollution events.
• Use Water Filtration Systems: Install certified water filters that remove heavy metals and chemical contaminants if you live in an area with compromised water infrastructure or quality concerns.
• Support Infrastructure Investment: Advocate for government funding to strengthen and protect critical water treatment and desalination facilities in your region, as these are essential for public health resilience.
• Document Environmental Damage: If you witness pollution or environmental damage from any source, report it to local environmental agencies and support organizations that monitor environmental health impacts.

What Happens to Ecosystems When War Damages the Environment?

The Persian Gulf is not just a body of water; it is a shallow, enclosed basin containing sensitive ecosystems that cannot easily recover from massive pollution. Coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and specialized fish species depend on clean water and stable conditions . When heavy metals and toxic chemicals settle in sediment, they accumulate in fish and shellfish, eventually reaching human food supplies through seafood consumption.

Doug Weir, director of the Conflict and Environment Observatory, a nonprofit that monitors environmental harms from armed conflicts, noted that documenting the full extent of damage has proven difficult. The organization uses satellite imagery and open-source intelligence to identify damage, and has recorded more than 400 environmentally concerning incidents so far, though much remains unknown due to delays in satellite imagery and internet blackouts .

"It's an enclosed basin, quite shallow," said Weir. "There are sensitive habitats there, coral reefs, seagrass meadows, sensitive species which could be impacted."

Doug Weir, Director of the Conflict and Environment Observatory

Why Is Nuclear Contamination a Long-Term Health Threat?

Beyond conventional pollution, the risk of nuclear facility damage adds another layer of environmental and health concern. The United Nations nuclear watchdog has not had access to Iranian nuclear sites, including facilities targeted during the conflict, meaning their current status is largely unknown . Possible attacks on nuclear installations throughout the region pose immediate and long-term health risks including radiation sickness, skin damage, cancer, heart disease, and genetic damage .

After Israel and the U.S. bombed an Iranian uranium enrichment installation, Iran retaliated by firing missiles at two Israeli towns, including one with a nuclear research center. While Israeli officials said the facility was not damaged, the risk remains a serious concern for the region's environmental and public health future .

What Happens After the War Ends?

Environmental recovery after armed conflict typically receives low priority compared to rebuilding energy, water, and food production infrastructure. Experts worry that pollution, especially contamination of the Persian Gulf and other waterways, will not be addressed soon, and in some cases may never be fully remediated . This means that toxic chemicals and heavy metals will continue to pose health risks to communities for decades, even after fighting stops.

In densely populated Tehran, for example, a huge number of strikes have hit not just oil infrastructure but also buildings and residential areas, generating harmful contamination from pulverized building materials. People are being exposed to dust and chemicals that may continue to cause health problems long after the war eventually ends and rebuilding begins .

The environmental health crisis unfolding in the Middle East serves as a stark reminder that armed conflict carries hidden costs that extend far beyond immediate casualties. Contaminated air, water, and soil create public health emergencies that persist for generations, affecting agriculture, drinking water access, and the health of entire populations. As experts continue to document the damage using satellite technology and open-source intelligence, the full scope of this environmental catastrophe will likely take years to fully understand.