From the dust of destruction to our tables… 7 habits to confront the toxic legacy of wars Lifestyle

Wars do not end with the end of fighting. There is a heavy legacy that remains beyond destruction and loss, concentrated in the ground and lasting for decades, as the soil, water, and even the air turn into toxin reservoirs filled with heavy metals. In a world dependent on food chains and based on global trade and shared waters, no one remains immune to influence.

In this way, the war continues to create hidden suffering for new generations, through health, behavioral and psychological problems that are sometimes difficult to trace back to one clear cause. But can individuals do anything real to mitigate these effects?

Chemical scars do not end when the battles end

In the 1991 Gulf War, expectations were pessimistic about its impact on the air, land and sea, but the reality exceeded those fears. An Austrian study entitled “Environmental Impacts of the 1991 Gulf War” indicated devastating results, most notably:

• Massive fires and the emission of huge amounts of soot and carbon dioxide as a result of the explosion of more than 800 oil wells, which affected the climate and temperatures in the region, and caused the formation of oil lakes on land and the pollution of hundreds of kilometers of coastline.
• Tens of thousands of birds and marine creatures were killed, and mangroves and coastal environments were severely damaged.

In the same vein, two researchers from the German University of Stuttgart set out in 2022 to study what happened to the lands of the Iraqi city of Mosul in the post-war period. Their study, published in March 2026, assessed levels of soil pollution with heavy metals between 2022 and 2023, by measuring elements such as lead, zinc, and nickel. The result was shocking: about 80% of the city’s area was affected by pollution levels ranging from high to severe, affecting the soil, people, and climate together.

These “chemical scars” do not disappear quickly, and with each new war, the threat of heavy metal pollution is renewed, which turns into a long-term environmental burden. Among the most prominent of these metals are: arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, nickel, mercury, and aluminum.

Unexpected illnesses due to heavy metal pollution

Heavy metals do not appear in the body suddenly, but rather infiltrate it gradually through multiple paths, the most important of which are:

• drinking water.
• Food, especially vegetables, fruits, fish and seafood.
• Dust and fine particles in the air.

Heavy metal toxicity can affect the functions of the brain, liver, and lungs, and change the composition of the blood. According to the World Health Organization, the accumulation of these metals is linked to a number of health problems, including, for example:

• Lead: It causes neurodevelopmental disorders in children, behavioral problems, and learning difficulties.
• Mercury: It leads to nervous effects, poor concentration, and movement disorders.
• Uranium: It affects the kidneys, and is associated with immune and neurological disorders in some studies.

7 habits to reduce exposure to pollutants

Despite the bleak environmental picture in and around war zones, there are practical steps individuals can take to reduce the accumulation of heavy metals in their bodies. The essence of these steps lies in reducing exposure to dust and soil debris, whether coming from the air or suspended in food, while adopting simple habits, including:

Wash vegetables and peel the roots

• Remove the outer leaves and peel root vegetables – such as carrots and potatoes – and remove the damaged roots.
• Wash vegetables well with running water, and make sure to obtain them from reliable sources.

Food and Agriculture Organization guidelines indicate that these steps help reduce lead, dust and metal residues accumulated on the veneer.

Diversify food sources

• Avoid long dependence on one type of food – especially from one source – as much as possible.
• Diversifying the sources of vegetables, fruits, and proteins helps reduce concentrated exposure to a particular type of pollutant, because the intensity of exposure sometimes depends on the type of food, its quantity, and the continuity of its consumption.

Reducing dust inhalation

• Reduce exposure to dust and dirt as much as possible.
• Wear a mask at times when there is increased dust or when smoke and pollutants are rising.
• Ventilate the house regularly, and clean surfaces that accumulate dust.

Choose safe drinking water

• Drink sufficient amounts of water daily, making sure it is from a known and safe source.
• Avoid unsecured or untreated water sources.

According to the World Health Organization, a large portion of exposure to metals such as lead and arsenic occurs through contaminated drinking water, making reliance on professionally treated water crucial to reducing risks.

Caution with big fish

• Reduce consumption of large fish that stand at the top of the food chain, such as some types of catfish, carp, and trout.
• Prefer smaller, shorter-lived fish, as they are less likely to accumulate mercury in their tissues.

Balanced nutrition reduces absorption

• Pay attention to the balance of essential nutrients, especially iron and calcium.
• The World Health Organization explains that a deficiency of these elements may increase the body’s absorption of some heavy metals such as lead, while their availability helps reduce this absorption.

In other words, a balanced diet not only nourishes the body, but also acts as a line of defense that reduces the accumulation of toxins.

Foods that may help reduce the effects

Preliminary studies and laboratory experiments – especially on animals – indicate that some foods and nutrients may play a helpful role in reducing the absorption of heavy metals or mitigating their effects, such as:

• Green coriander.
• Garlic and broccoli: Some studies have shown a possible role for them in reducing the effects of heavy metals.
• Dietary fiber Found in fruits and whole grains, it helps excrete some of the minerals through the digestive system.
• Selenium: Found in some nuts and types of small fish, it may contribute to reducing mercury toxicity in the body.

In addition, taking care of the health of the liver remains essential, as it is the primary organ responsible for converting some toxins into less harmful forms, and taking care of the health of the kidneys, which regularly excrete a portion of heavy metals through urine.

In the end, individuals may not be able to control the course of wars or stop pollution at its borders, but they can employ available knowledge to protect their bodies and their families as much as possible. Dealing with the “scars of chemical warfare” begins with small steps, but they are accumulated in the kitchen, in the choice of water, and in the way we deal with the air and dust around us.