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Left behind an invisible toxic disaster after Ukraine’s dam collapse
The collapse of Ukraine’s Kakhovka dam in June 2023 led to severe flooding and released 90,000 tons of heavy metals, including arsenic, nickel, and zinc, according to a recent study. These pollutants, mixed with untreated sewage and industrial waste, flowed into the Dnieper River and Black Sea, contaminating water sources and farmland. As floodwaters receded, the release of toxic metals continued, posing serious long-term health risks, such as brain, liver, and immune system damage.
Scientists warn that recovery efforts are stalled by ongoing conflict, raising concerns about future dam collapses that could worsen the crisis. The potential for heavy metals to seep into the region’s food and water supplies means Ukrainians returning home could face an invisible health crisis lasting for generations. This situation highlights the devastating environmental and human toll of infrastructure destruction during war.
14-03-2025