Military Burn Pits

Because of potential health hazards, such as cancer, respiratory problems, skin lesions and infections, burning waste as a means of disposal has been curtailed in the United States.

However, on military bases (including Balad Air Force Base in Iraq and Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan) highly toxic chemicals, plastic bottles, paints, and unexploded ordnance, were routinely burned in open pits. As a result, many members of the military, who lived or worked on or near those and other bases are developing serious health problems because they were exposed to toxic smoke.

If you lived on a military base where open pit disposal fires burned, and have developed health issues, you may be entitled to compensation.

Suits Filed

Class action suits on behalf of US soldiers have now been filed in at least 10 states. The suits charge military contractors KBR and its former parent company, Halliburton, improperly disposed of waste and created toxic fumes by burning trash in large, open pits. Among the waste burned were batteries, dangerous chemicals, fuel, tires, plastic and pesticide containers, medical waste, and even human body parts.

Soldiers report breathing smoke from these fires have caused serious problems, including:

• Lung Disease
• Chronic Pain
• Heart Problems
• Lymphoma
• Brain Cancer
• Leukemia
• Tumors
• Skin Lesions and Infections
• Respiratory Problems
• Chronic Coughs
• Asthma
• Blood Disorders
• Dizziness
• Sleep Apnea
• Fatigue
• Breathing Difficulties
• Bronchitis and Bronchiolitis

Although the Department of Defense claims there are no health problems related to the waste burning, a 2008 report by a non-profit research organization says the US Army is creating a toxic mess in Afghanistan and Iraq and has no effective policy to ensure that troops are protected from environmental problems. Meanwhile, the Veterans Affairs Department is gathering information from the soldiers to try to determine if their claims are valid.

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