Toxic Legacy of US War in Afghanistan: Concerns Over Water, Soil and Air Pollution Persist

DID Press: An investigative report by New Lines Magazine has highlighted the environmental consequences of the two-decade US military presence in Afghanistan, raising concerns about potential contamination of water, soil and air around former military bases in Bagram, Kandahar and Jalalabad.

In a report written by Lindsey Bilsing, New Lines Magazine examined how US military activities in Afghanistan, including open-air waste burning and the disposal of sewage and hazardous materials, have raised concerns about long-term environmental damage and potential health risks for residents living near former military installations.

According to the report, some Afghan families who lived near military bases have complained of respiratory problems, skin diseases, kidney disorders and other health issues.

Several Afghan doctors also said they had treated numerous patients with similar symptoms during the years of the foreign military presence.

The report said the burning of military waste and hazardous materials released polluted smoke into the surrounding environment, prompting concerns about its potential effects on the health of nearby residents.