Long-Term Health Consequences of Exposure to Burn Pits in Iraq and Afghanistan (2011) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
2 Current and Historical Uses of Burn Pits in the Military
2 Current and Historical Uses of Burn Pits in the Military
Pages 15-22
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 15... ...
HISTORY OF MILITARY WASTE MANAGEMENT In past conflicts, poorly managed waste has contributed to the spread of infectious disease, a substantial cause of mortality and morbidity in military populations as well as a contributing factor in the contamination of drinking water. Thus proper sanitation has been historically and remains today the most important issue driving military waste management practices (Weese and Abraham 2009)
|
From page 16... ...
Other types of waste management, such as land-filling or recycling may not be feasible in many overseas operations. BURN PITS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN The burning of waste in pits has been the primary solid waste management solution in Iraq and Afghanistan from the beginning of the conflicts in 2003 and 2001, respectively.
|
From page 17... ...
military an opportunity to examine patterns of waste management and to establish waste management guidelines and policies to reduce health and environmental impacts. During Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia in 1995–1996, military preventive-medicine personnel recognized that open burning of waste might be an operational necessity during combat operations, but they emphasized that burning should be used to the minimum extent feasible and that burn pits should be located as far as possible downwind of personnel (U.S.
|
From page 18... ...
attributed to burn pit emissions, the CHPPM and the Air Force Institute for Operational Health (AFIOH) conducted ambient air sampling and a screening health risk assessment in the spring of 2007.
|
From page 19... ...
In 2009, Congress also requested that the GAO investigate the use of burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan; the guidance available on burn pits and adherence to that guidance; alternatives to burn pits and the DoD's implemen tation of these alternatives; and the efforts made by the DoD to evaluate air quality and exposures in accordance with applicable guidance. The GAO report, released in October 2010, recommended that the DoD issue, imple ment, and ensure adherence to guidance for burn pit operations and waste management; conduct monitoring of burn pits as directed by guidance; characterize the waste produced and implement waste management strategies
|
From page 20... ...
military, a combination of fac tors, including the large volume of waste burned, the increase in the waste stream of items such as plastics with the potential to produce toxic materials when burned, and increased public awareness of health risks associated with exposure to air pollution, has led to greater concern among service members and their families about possible long-term health effects resulting from exposure to burn pit emissions at military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. Given the nature of military conflicts and the constant movement of troops and supplies, it is difficult to characterize waste disposal practices at many bases, or apply knowledge of one base to other bases.
|
From page 21... ...
2008. Defense Health Board findings pertaining to health risk assessment, burn pit exposures, Balad Air Base, Iraq.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.