Crude oil was released into the atmosphere primarily in the form of products of incomplete combustion (smoke and oil mist), and returned to the ground as soot and oil droplets.

Iraq further argues that truck movements, fortifications, defence lines, oil trenches, mines, smoke oil mist and soot had only a temporary influence on the desert ecosystems which should be distinguished from permanent factors such as ploughing, digging of shrubs, and severe overgrazing.

Iran states that the inhabitants in 10 of its western provinces were exposed to pollutants from the oil well fires, such as smoke, black rain, oil mist and other toxic agents, in sufficient quantities to cause an increase in the number of treatments provided for 13 diseases in Iran in 1990 and 1991.