Citation

Brown VJ, Schmidt CW. Environ. Health Perspect. 2004; 112(17): a994-a1005.

Affiliation

EHP freelance writer.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

15579406

PMCID

PMC1253679

Abstract

The nature and weapons of war have changed radically in the last century, bringing conflict off the battleground and into city streets, and thereby magnifying its environmental health consequences. Age-old problems still follow war---lack of food, shelter, water, and sanitation, risk of infectious disease, and psychological trauma. But modern war also saddles populations with new threats from industrial and military chemicals, pesticides, and radiation, and humanitarian aid systems designed to help people after natural disasters cannot function properly in combat environments. A few encouraging strides are being made, such as the overall reduction in landmine production and use. It remains to be seen what further progress can be made in alleviating the environmental health disaster that is war.