The United Nations Environmental Program identified five top areas of concern.

The most seriously contaminated site found to date is an industrial metal plating facility south of Baghdad that is contaminated with numerous types of hazardous waste, including several tons of cyanide compounds.

U.N. environmental officials have secured $900,000 for the cleanup and hope to use some of the funds for at least one of the other top priority spots.

U.N. officials warn that the five locales identified in their report released Nov. 10 are likely "the tip of the iceberg in terms of environmental hot spots."

The country "has a significant legacy of contaminated and derelict industrial and military sites," the report says.

The report also states that destruction of the Iraqi military arsenal is creating new contamination and hazardous waste problems at scrap yards and munitions dumps that could be better managed through improved working practices.

The U.N. estimates that $40 million would be necessary to address all the issues contained in its report.