Lebanon's residents face a constant haze, with brownish clouds covering the skyline. About 8,000 diesel generators have been powering Lebanon's urban areas since the economic crisis in 2019.
These generators add noise, odor, and pollution to the streets, affecting residents' air quality.
(Photo: Jo Kassis from Pexels)
A Looming Health Crisis in Lebanon
A scientist says that almost half of the cancer-causing substances people in Lebanon are exposed to every day come from diesel generators. New research from the American University of Beirut shows that using diesel generators too much in the last five years has doubled the risk of people in Beirut getting cancer.
More people are being diagnosed with health issues, which is worrying, says Najat Saliba, a scientist leading the study. Interesting Engineering reported that Beirut, especially crowded places like Makassed, is hit the hardest.
In Beirut, experts have informally observed a notable uptick in cancer cases, estimating an annual increase of around 30 percent since 2020.
They've also highlighted a worrying pattern: patients are experiencing the onset of cancer at younger ages, and the tumors they develop are displaying heightened aggressiveness.
Facing Severe Difficulties
After the devastating explosion in August 2020, Lebanon faced a serious crisis, making the situation even worse. The country's economic collapse caused the energy grid to almost fail, leading to more use of diesel generators.
Along with political problems and a lack of infrastructure investment, this created a harmful cycle. The generators release cancer-causing pollutants, increasing health risks.
AUB's measurements show these pollutants doubled in three main areas of the capital. Saliba warns that cancer risk may have gone up by about 50 percent.
Prior to the economic collapse in 2019, diesel generators served a supplementary role, providing power to the national grid for only three hours.
However, as economic difficulties escalated, the state's energy infrastructure faced imminent collapse, compelling diesel generators to assume the critical role of primary power sources.
However, it's important to note that this data hasn't undergone verification. Saliba describes the situation in the country as a significant vicious cycle. With Lebanon currently facing severe economic difficulties, there is a perpetual cycle of seeking financial assistance.
This pattern extends to all sectors, with government efforts typically focusing on obtaining funds, installing essential infrastructure, and then neglecting ongoing maintenance and operational expenses.
Despite receiving billions of dollars in funding from international donors for infrastructure projects, Lebanon continues to grapple with fundamental issues. Saliba emphasized that there has been little improvement in essential areas such as air, water, and soil quality.
Dr. Fadlo Khuri, the president of AUB and an oncologist specializing in lung and neck cancer, highlighted the complexity of the situation. He explained that Beirut is facing multiple challenges simultaneously.
According to Khuri, research conducted by AUB revealed that a significant portion of Lebanon's daily exposure to airborne carcinogens originates from diesel generators.
He warned that the consequences of this exposure, particularly for diseases like lung and neck cancer, may not manifest for several years due to the chronic nature of these illnesses.
