Exposure to “burn pit” smoke and fumes is becoming increasingly worrisome to thousands of troops, veterans and their families. Individuals who were within proximity to “burn pits” at U.S. military bases are now reporting numerous health issues and concerns.
The open burning of waste in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar, called “burn pits”, started around 2003. These large, open pits were used as a method of disposing of massive amounts of waste by simply throwing it into an open, smoldering, burning pit located at the military site.
These “burn pits” became commonplace in war zone deployment areas and it is estimated that at its peak, more than 400 tons a day of waste were disposed using burn pits in Afghanistan alone.
Burn pits are much more environmentally hazardous than controlled burning – such as the use of an incinerator.
Burn pit waste disposal created air pollution concerns by releasing potentially toxic fumes from burning materials such as: plastic, rubber, Styrofoam, petroleum products, medical waste, asbestos, pesticides, medical supplies, paints, solvents, tires, batteries, wood, rubber, metals, biohazards, munitions boxes, pesticides, vinyl piping, animal and human waste, carcasses and hazardous chemicals. Large clouds of smoke and fumes would cloud the entire area for days and months.
Many troops and veterans are reporting illnesses and ailments that they suspect are linked air pollutions caused by burn pits, including respiratory problems, neurological disorders, cancers, and Lou Gehrig’s disease. Other health concerns include:
- Reduced lung function
- Insomnia
- High blood pressure
- Obstructive pulmonary disease
- Emphysema
- Chronic bronchitis
- Liver conditions
- Chronic multisymptom illnesses
- Decreased physical function
- Constrictive bronchiolitis
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
In support of protecting the health of those who have experienced exposure to burn pits please contact us for more information on this important topic and how it may affect you.
We are working closely with Burnpits360.org to educate our clients on as many facets of this tragic situation as possible. Below are links to their website and Facebook page:
Among the dozens of victims of the burn pits and their families that Pilot Law, P.C. represents, is Daniel Meyer, author of the “Daniel Meyer Blog” where you may read more about the effects of the burn pits on our servicemembers.
Please contact us by emailing blawler@pilotlawcorp.com or by calling toll-free at 866.512.2465 to discuss your options, including filing a lawsuit and joining the ongoing litigation, if you or someone you know has gotten sick after being stationed at a base in Iraq or Afghanistan on which there were burn pits being operated.