Israel’s continued bombardment of Gaza is expected to have devastating long-term health effects, with experts warning that asbestos contamination from debris could lead to a surge in cancer cases for decades. According to United Nations estimates, approximately 800,000 tonnes of rubble litter the region, much of it potentially tainted with asbestos—a highly carcinogenic mineral banned in 55 countries, including Ireland.
The Silent Killer: Asbestos Unleashed in Gaza
Asbestos, though harmless when undisturbed, becomes lethal when its fibers are released into the air. Once inhaled, they can cause severe health conditions, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis, an inflammatory disease that can lead to permanent lung damage. The destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure by Israeli airstrikes has likely unleashed significant amounts of asbestos, posing a major threat to the population.
Roger Willey, a leading asbestos expert, told Al Jazeera that the situation in Gaza is a “death sentence” for residents exposed to the toxic debris. Willey drew parallels to the 9/11 attacks in New York, where thousands of survivors and first responders later died from asbestos-related illnesses.
“It’s going to be the same in Gaza,” he said. “Airborne concentrations [of asbestos] will be enormously high, and that is guaranteed mesothelioma.”
A Looming Public Health Catastrophe
The fallout from asbestos exposure is slow-moving but deadly. The U.S. National Cancer Institute notes that mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs, chest, and abdomen, may take decades to develop. Other conditions like lung cancer and ovarian cancer are also linked to asbestos exposure, alongside asbestosis, a chronic lung disease that causes severe breathing issues.
Willey’s warnings echo concerns raised by the World Trade Center Health Program, which reported that more than 4,300 survivors and first responders from the 9/11 disaster have since died from asbestos-related illnesses—a number far exceeding the nearly 3,000 who died during the attack itself.
The exact scope of asbestos contamination in Gaza remains unclear, but the sheer scale of destruction suggests a widespread problem. Leading health experts caution that while the immediate humanitarian crisis is front and center, the long-term health repercussions may only begin to emerge years down the road.
Gaza, already grappling with a shattered healthcare system, could face an even greater burden as cases of mesothelioma, cancer, and lung disease rise in the years to come.
For now, the international community is focused on addressing the acute impacts of the ongoing conflict. But as experts like Willey have emphasized, the hidden dangers of asbestos contamination could lead to yet another public health catastrophe, compounding the suffering of Gaza’s population long after the fighting ends.
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was widely used in construction materials, insulation, and fireproofing due to its heat resistance and durability. It was frequently used in cement, roofing, flooring, and many other building materials before its health risks were fully understood.
When asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed, they release microscopic fibers into the air. Upon inhalation, these fibers can cause inflammation and scarring in the lungs, leading to serious health problems such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
Asbestos-related diseases often take many years to develop after initial exposure. Mesothelioma, for instance, can take 20-50 years to manifest after the first inhalation of asbestos fibers. This long latency period means that the full extent of the health impact on Gaza’s population may not be evident for decades.
While the precise extent of asbestos contamination in Gaza remains unknown, experts believe it to be extensive. The United Nations estimates that approximately 800,000 tonnes of rubble, much of it potentially containing asbestos, litter the region due to the destruction caused by Israeli airstrikes.
Tackling the asbestos problem in Gaza will be a significant undertaking, requiring specialized equipment, trained professionals, and substantial financial resources. The process of identifying, removing, and safely disposing of asbestos-containing materials, known as abatement, could take years, if not decades, given the scale of the damage and the complexity of the situation in Gaza. International support and cooperation will likely be necessary to address this issue effectively.
