The impact of toxic air pollution on children living near a BP oilfield in southern Iraq has been revealed in a BBC investigation.

Gas flaring is the term for burning off the gas during oil production. The process is known to emit benzene – which heightens the risk of cancer, particularly childhood leukaemia.

Working with environmental scientists, a BBC team measured benzene in the air in communities near four different oil fields with high levels of gas flaring, including Rumaila. The investigation also analysed urine samples from children to see if there were detectable toxins linked to gas flaring exposure.

BP, which co-manages Rumaila oil field, posted its highest ever profits from Rumaila last year, amid a year of record profits, and calls for an extension of a windfall tax to combat the cost of living crisis. The BBC established it was the site with the most gas flaring in the world.

The companies said their reporting method was standard industry practice.

BP said that immediately after first being contacted by the BBC, it started working with its Rumaila partners to look at the issues raised and, where necessary, how to address them.

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