Nearly 100 British troops who guarded the Qarmat Ali water treatment plant during the Iraq war in 2003 may have been unknowingly exposed to sodium dichromate, a toxic chemical known to cause cancer, Sky News has revealed.

Ten veterans who served at the plant have come forward, detailing their health struggles, including daily nosebleeds, brain tumors, and cancer diagnoses. Sodium dichromate, described as a "deadly poison," contaminated the ground at Qarmat Ali, posing serious health risks to the soldiers.

The Ministry of Defence has expressed willingness to engage with the veterans moving forward, but the former troops demand accountability and answers. Lord Richard Dannatt, former chief of the UK general staff, has called for a thorough investigation into the matter, stressing the need for medical support and potentially compensation for affected service personnel.

During their deployment at Qarmat Ali, British soldiers endured extreme conditions, patrolling the facility amidst scorching heat and insurgent attacks. Unbeknownst to them, the site was contaminated with sodium dichromate, a chemical used to treat water pipes. Stored in open-air buildings and scattered throughout the facility, the chemical posed a grave danger to the troops' health.

The revelation echoes the plot of the film "Erin Brockovich," highlighting the severe consequences of exposure to hexavalent chromium compounds like sodium dichromate. As affected veterans demand justice and support, the incident underscores the importance of safeguarding military personnel from hazardous environments during wartime operations.