Virtually every military base in the United States used unlined open-air burn pits and incinerators (without an air scrubber to remove toxic chemicals). This practice injured tens of thousands of Americans. George Air Force Base, CA, had several open-air burn pits and two old-style incinerators (without an air scrubber to remove toxic chemicals).
The known carcinogens and respiratory sensitizers that were released into the atmosphere by the burn pits and incinerators present both acute and chronic health hazards to civilians, and military personnel and their family members. A list of possible contaminants includes acetaldehyde, acrolein, arsenic, benzene, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, dichlorofluoromethane, dioxins, ethylbenzene, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride, various heavy metals (lead, cadmium, and mercury), nitrogen dioxide, phosgene, sulfuric acid, sulfur dioxide, toluene, trichloroethane, trichloropropane, and xylene. See: George AFB’s burn pits and incinerators
As of Dec 31, 2014, the Department of Defense (DOD) and Air Force has failed to notify the former base personnel or Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) of this potential exposure pathway for the Health Assessment of George AFB.
It is unreasonable to believe that the release of known carcinogens and respiratory sensitizers did not harm the civilians, military personnel, and their family members who lived and worked at the former George Air Force Base, CA, “EPA Superfund ID: CA2570024453″.
U.S. Waste Disposal in Afghanistan: Unused Incinerators and Open-Air Burn Pits
AllGov
In spite of an $80-million investment in building incinerators for hazardous waste disposal in Afghanistan, the U.S. military left many of them unused, …
‘Indefensible’: Report reveals the extent of ‘burn pit’ pollution inhaled by US troops in Afghanistan
Fox News
The report says the U.S. military even spent millions on incinerators as a … The toxic brew created a black plume of smoke that lingered in the air over … time, “open-air burn pit operations continued on the base until October 2013, …
Watchdog: DOD ignored troop health risks, continued to burn trash in Afghanistan
Stars and Stripes
The U.S. military knowingly put troops’ health at risk and wasted tens of millions of dollars on shoddy contracts while operating dangerous open-air burn pits
Kan. veteran worries exposure to hazardous fumes cause of health problems
hays Post
It’s also been documented in people with “toxic exposures” who inhaled things like …. And burn pits have been used on military bases for decades.
Kansas veteran worries exposure to hazardous fumes cause of health problems
KHI News Service
Kansas veteran worries exposure to hazardous fumes cause of health … linked to the burn pits used to dispose of waste at U.S. military bases there.
Report: Troops Sent Waste to Open Burn Pits
Military.com
… has a military base. Veterans’ advocates say exposure to toxic smoke from burn pits can cause respiratory illnesses and long-term health problems, …
Military scrutinized over trash burning
Omaha World-Herald
The report focused on Shindand Air Base in western Afghanistan but … the military to notify Congress whenever certain toxic materials are burned, the …
Burn Pit Claims: The Proposed Burn Pit Registry Questionnaire …
Jun 22, 2013
This follows the announcement on June 3, 2013, by the Veterans Administration (VA) that it is accepting public comments concerning the establishment of Burn Pit Registry mandated by Congress. The Registry is supposed to …
Burn Pit Claims: VA Requests Public Comments on Establishment of …
Jun 06, 2013
The VA has been mandated by Congress to establish a Burn Pit Registry to monitor those in military service who may have been exposed to toxic agents as a result of burn pit exposures while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Burn Pit Claims: Burn Pit Registry Bill Passes US Senate Unanimously
Dec 21, 2012
U.S. Sens. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) announced today that their bipartisan legislation to create a registry of service members and veterans who were exposed to toxic chemicals and fumes from open-air …
Burn Pit Claims: Burn Pit Registry For Veterans Signed Into Law
Jan 11, 2013
“President Obama signed legislation Thursday requiring the Veterans Affairs Department to establish a registry for troops and veterans who lived and worked near open-air burn pits used to dispose of waste in Iraq, Afghanistan …
News
On Feb. 23, 2013, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland dismissed the burn pit lawsuits that were consolidated in In re KBR Inc. Burn Pit Litigation.
VA Extends Public Comment Period for Open Burn Pit Questionnaire 7/25/13
Inspector General Reports Waste Incinerators at Forward Operating Bases Not Being Used 7-11-13
Congressional Amendment to Bar Toxic Burning 6-30-31
New Law Proposed to Study Burn Pit Toxic Exposures 6-26-13
VA Requests Public Comments on Establishment of Open Burn Pit Registry 6-6-13
Burn-pit claimants will appeal judge’s dismissal 6/4/13
Illness from burn pits a health issue for returning vets 3.06.2013
VA Announces that Burn Pit Study to Determine Adverse Effects on Soldiers 2.1.2013
Health Answers Sought About Burned-off War Garbage 1.26.13
KBR Secret Indemnity Agreement Signed By Army Chief Tainted In Enron Scandal 1/23/13
Burn-Pit Registry for Veterans Signed Into Law 1.10.13
KBR, Guilty In Iraq Negligence, Wants Taxpayers To Foot The Bill 1-9.13
Judge Tells KBR Lawyers That They Can’t Interview Jurors Who Awarded $85 Million 12.19.12
Cedar Rapids Family Blames Burn Pit in Iraq For Son’s Cancer Death 10-26-12
Verdict: $85 Million Against KBR for Negligently Exposing Soldiers to Toxins in Iraq 11-3-12
Trial News – The Dangers of hexavalent chromium 10.12.12
Burn Baby Burn 9.4.12
Senate Panel Approves Burn Pit Registry 9.13.12
DOD & VA Gather to Study Airborne Health Hazards 8.22.12
Sodium Dichromate Exposure – Court Rules Lawsuit by Former National Guard Proceeds 8.21.12
Burn Pit Lung Condition Added to Social Security List of Compassionate Allowances 8.11.12
KBR Seeks Dismissal of lawsuits over burn pits 7.16.12
Companies Seek to Dismiss Suit on Burn-Pit Risk 7.13.12
Burn Pit Registry Moves Forward 7.11.12
Akin Burn Pit Legislation Passed by Veterans Committee, Heads to House Floor 7.12.12
Leaked Memo: Afghan ‘Burn Pt’ Could Wreck Troops’ Heart, Lungs 5-22-12
Nonprofit Builds Forth Worth House for Veteran With Incurable Disease 2-6-12
US Army Corps of Engineers: Center Supports Afghan Recycling Program 2.1.12
Introducing the Physical Disability Board of Review 1.7.12
Vet Seeks to Shed Light on Burn Pit Effects 11.11.11
ATS Calls on US Government to Look at Respiratory Consequences of Burn Pits on Military Personnel 11.10.11
Congressman Akin Introduces Bill for Veterans Burn Pit Registry 11.3.11
IOM Study: Long-Term Health Consequences of Burn Pit Exposures 10.31.11
Veteran Fights to Bring Light to Burn Pit Dangers 10.22.11
Burn Pits Role in Troops’ Array of Illnesses Fans Concerns at VA 9.19.11
Toxic Trash: The Burn Pits of Iraq and Afghanistan 8.24.11
US Military’s Open Burn Pits In Afghanistan May Be Making People Sick 8.24.11
Lung Problems Found in Iraq, Afghanistan Veterans 7/21/11
Constrictive Bronchiolitis in Soldiers Returning from Iraq and Afganistan 7.21.11
Rare Lung Disease Diagnosed in Soldiers 7.21.2011
Scientists Say Pentagon Misleads on Dust Study 7.6.2011
“Burn Pits” Blamed for Veteran’s Illnesses: Local Family Raising Awareness 7.7.2011
Lung Ailments Rise Among Iraq, Afgan Veterans 6.20.11
Emerging Research Focuses on Breathing Problems for Returning Soldiers 6.19.2011
Law Advances to Monitor Veterans for Illnesses 5.29.2011
New Studies Connect Respiratory Conditions With Middle East Troop Exposure 5.19.2011
Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan Studied for Toxic Exposures 5.16.2011
Increase in Military Illnesses Over the Last Decade 4.30.2011
Soldier Seeks Answers to Medical Condition 3.10.11
Veterans Seek Help for Burn Pit Health Claims 11.28.2010
Government Reports Burn Pit Standards Are Not Being Met 11.20.2010
Federal Court Allows Burn Pit Claims to Proceed Against Halliburton & KBR 9.9.2010
National Guard Veterans Allowed to Proceed Against KBR 9.2.10
Institute of Medicine Holds Meeting on Burn Pit Exposures 8.9.2010
Poisoned by Burning Trash 8.6.2010
New Medical Study Confirms Lung Problems From Balad Burn Pit Exposure 7.3.2010
American Lung Association Urges US Senate to Ban Burn Pits 6.24.2010
Sleep Disorders Linked to Burn Pit Environmental Pollution6.23.2010
House of Representatives Passes Burn Pit Registration Bill 6.6.2010
VA Establishes Burn Pit Web Site to Help Veterans 5.29.2010
Doctor Links Burn Pit Exposures to Respiratory Illness 5.9.2010
Dan Rather TV Documentary Highlights Burn Pit Health Hazards 5.7.2010
VA Outlines New Policy to Address Burn Pit Hazards 5.7.2010
Fox Reports on Toxic Burn Pits 4.30.2010
Sick Veterans Sue KRB Over Iraq & Afghanistan Burn Pits 3.26.10
GIs Tell of Horrors [asbestos] from Burn Pits – Houston Chronicle – 2.7.2010
Toxic Water in Iraq:- NBC News 12.30.09
VA Administration – Fact Sheet Sodium Dichromate Exposure Qarmat Ali Water Treatment Plant
“Hexavalent Chromium Exposure Weighs on Veterans” The Oregonian 12.28.09
“The Hidden Enemy” NBC-TV Story on National Guards Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium in Iraq (Video) 11.18.2008
Whistle-blower details exposure – Evansville Courier & Press 12.9.2006
Toxic Legacy in Iraq 10.8.2009
Defense Department to Investigate Hexavalent Chromium Exposure Claims 10.3.209
Soldiers Exposed to Chromium in Iraq File Suit 6.9.2009
Halliburton-KRB Sued for Endangering Military Contractors 4.30.2009
Indiana Guardsmen Sue KRB Over Chemical Exposure in Iraq – Democracy Now (Video) 12.4.2008
Did toxic chemical in Iraq sicken GIs? USA Today 6.28.09
OSHA: Occupational Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium (Cr(VI)); Final Rule Remand Fall 2009
Veterans Tell of Burn Pit Toxins
References:
[1] UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT, http://www.ca4.uscourts.gov/Opinions/Published/131430.P.pdf[2] Bixby v. KBR Inc., 3:09-cv-00632, U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
[3] United States Army Public Health Command, http://phc.amedd.army.mil/phc%20resource%20library/baladburnpit471208.pdf
[4] Senate Hearing, Anthony Szema, M.D., http://www.dpc.senate.gov/hearings/hearing50/szema.pdf
[5] USA Today, http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/military/story/2011-10-31/military-burn-pits-Iraq/51013236/1
[6] KBR, Inc. v. Alan Metzgar, http://www.chamberlitigation.com/sites/default/files/scotus/files/2014/Cert.%20Petition%20–%20KBR%20v.%20Metzgar%20(U.S.%20Supreme%20Court).pdf
[7] The Verge, http://www.theverge.com/2013/10/28/4771164/the-next-agent-orange-why-burn-pits-are-making-soldiers-sick
[8] Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=13209
[9] Deployment Health Clinical Center, http://www.pdhealth.mil/dcs/deploymentexposure.asp#Pesticides
[10] Bloomberg, http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-06/kbr-halliburton-found-not-immune-in-burn-pit-suits.html
[11] United States Government Accountability Office, http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d1163.pdf
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