Ahwazi: Mercury Pollution Scare
Below is an article published by British Ahwazi Friendship Society:
The Bandar Imam petrochemical complex is causing environmental devastation, according to two of
Research by Dr Abbas Ismail Sari and Dr Bahram Kiaee found that a large area of Khuzestan (
The academics found that birds from the falcon family, at the top of the food chain, contained two milligrammes per kilogramme of body weight - an extraordinarily high level. As a result of mercury poisoning, the birds and their eggs are smaller than usual. Their study of mercury in birds in the province concluded that pollution is widespread in Khuzestan (
Speaking to the British Ahwazi Friendship Society, Ali Ghanawati, a fisherman from Hendijan port, southwest of
"The colour of the flesh of fresh fish is blue instead of a healthy red or pink.[“]
"Cancer is increasing rapidly and my brother recently died of cancer."
Ahwazi conservationist Reza Vashahi, who lived in Mashahr near the Bandar Imam petrochemical complex for 25 years, said: "Mercury pollution is one of the most dangerous types of pollution [“].
"Ahwazi land has been destroyed by the unwanted and polluting industries, which have grown since the region lost its autonomy in 1925 [“].
"We ask UNEP and other international bodies to investigate mercury pollution in Ahwaz and at the same time put pressure on the Iranian government to stop polluting Ahwazi Arab land[“].
"Ahwazis are not benefitting [benefiting] from oil reserves. Instead, they have to suffer pollution and poisoning by petrochemical industry."