[Photos] Health risk for soldiers in Balad, Iraq: The Burn Pit
I have cross posted this blog entry at patriotmissive.com. I found it important enough to list twice.
An article listed in Military.com today called “Balad Burn Pit May Pose Health Risk” sparked my interest mostly because I spent a year long deployment stationed in Balad, Iraq myself. Along with the thousands of other troops that have been stationed in Balad (or, LSA Anaconda), one thing stands out in all of our memories: the burn pit.
The burn pit is a massive pile of garbage that burns 24/7 which leaves a long trail of smoke lifting into the sky and, depending on how the wind shifts, into the lungs of the soldiers and civilians stationed there. The plume is so large that “software engineers writing a program to help fighter pilots navigate their way onto the base made it a central part of the digitally simulated skyline”
During my post-deployment health assessment, I made sure to document my concern for breathing in the burn pit air for 12 months even though the military denied it causing any adverse affects.
But there’s a new memo being circulated that was written by environmental engineer Darrin Curtis, who served with the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group at Balad from September 2006 to January 2007 (I left Balad in October, 2006).
Here’s what he says:
He expressed his dismay with the burning of toxic chemicals, plastics and other toxic waste — including, according to some reports, amputated limbs from the base hospital — and the lack of any apparent concern for the health of those breathing in the smoke.
Curtis wrote that health risks associated with smoke inhalation and respiratory exposure to toxic fumes produced by the burn could result in chronic ailments for service members at a base already ripe with other wartime hazards, including frequent rounds of indirect fire that earned the facility the nickname “Mortaritaville.”
“It is amazing that the burn pit has been able to operate without restrictions over the past few years without significant engineering controls put in place”.
Below are my personal pictures of the burn put from my deployment in 2005-2006. They show the actual pit and also the visual effect it has on the 25 square kilometer base:
Balad Air Base is quickly becoming to “Ramstein” of Iraq. I’m willing to wager that it will be the next permanent duty station for American troops…. just as we have in South Korea and Germany. American troops have been stationed in Balad for 5 years now. I’m glad to see the truth of its health hazards are coming to light.
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Comments
This instantly reminded me of the general lack of concern (and cover-up) surrounding the health of the firefighters, rescue workers, and clean-up crew who worked for weeks in the smoldering ruin of the twin towers. Glad you found this story, but sorry that it touches you personally.
I have recently posted a blog about this myself. I would like to add a link to your post…to mine…if that’s OK with you.
I primarily blog about the Soldier electrocutions and electrical safety in Iraq and Afghanistan and KBR fraud, waste and abuse. But this is just too important to not publicize.
Feel free to link to any of my Soldier electrocution posts and thanks for helping get the word out.
Ms Sparky
I was stationed at ANACONDA in 2006 as a civilian and had first hand incounters with this “Burn Pit”. I remember specificlly, the amount of plastics and small arms amunition that I saw in this pit, even burning paint and paint cans. I was exposed to the Burn Pit for about an hour and a half and recall getting rather sick that same evening to the point I went to the clinic there on post. Another place that has a serious problem with this is CAMP CUERO in Rahmadi, Iraq. I am not 100% sure that is the correct city but when they burn the pit on the south end of the camp it is horrible.
@Jacob
I have a feeling that we’re going to start seeing a lot of people stepping forward about the major health risk to military personnel and contractors about the burn pits scattered throughout Iraq. Thanks for confirming it for us.
[...] Health risk for soldiers in Balad, Iraq: The Burn Pit - Awesome Pics (this link added 11/05/08) [...]
I spent 13 months in Balad from 2004 to 2005. The fumes from that pit cannot be described. In the summer of 2005 I noted a weakness in my legs resulting in a foot drop which now requires leg supports to walk Neuroligical exam feels the cause is unknown, I have to feel the cause is from toxic agents exposed to from the burn pit.
Did anyone else note neurological problems associtated with being at Balad or other ares where uncontrolled burn pits were in operation. Jess Marcel
[...] from my other website, American Babble, where I documented by deployment and travels around the world, here are comments from other [...]
Thank you for sharing with us Jesse! I have added your comments to my other blog here: http://patriotmissive.com/2008/12/03/the-iraq-burn-pit-plot-thickens-plus-unofficial-testimoy/
..along with Jacon Kern’s comment too. Maybe someone else will post there letting us know if they have also had neurological problems associated with being deployed to Balad.
I just got back from Balad, where I served as the Mayor Cell’s “Garbage Officer.” The Balad burn pit was mine for the last 8 months.
The oopen pits are all gone. We installed concrete lined trenches with “air burners.” An air burner is like a leaf blower on steroids, stokes up the fires almost as hot as incinerators. Makes for a cleaner, more complete burn with alot less smoke.
The mountains of scrap metal on the south end of the pit are all gone. The land is flat and clean.
The recycling cneter takes in allthe used water bottles, the main source of dioxins mentioned in the Military Times article. The bottles themselves are meade of clear plastic, no labels or glue or coloration. They’re ready for recycling as soon as they come off the assembly line. Takikng them out of the waste stream improved the efficiancy of our incinerators as well.
Access to the trenches is regulated. No plastic, no ammo, no HAZMAT {paint, patroleum products, etc}, no medical waste.
When I left, they were planting trees and clearing ground for a tennis court. It isn’t the same place it used to be.
I’m very pleased to hear that they have finally solved the burn pit problem. It’s a relief that future soldiers and civilians stationed there won’t have to endure what the rest of us had to endure. I only wished there were incinerators and a recycling center for the last 5 years and not just the last 8 months. But I suppose it’s better late than never.
Thank you for your service!
I have a non-profit that has raised money for the rescue workers from 9-11. We now want to build a specialized health facility for those sick from chemical or toxin exposure (and this story about the Balad burn pits falls into this category). We also want to work with Viet Nam vets with Agent Orange exposure, Gulf War, 9-11, workplace contaminants, etc. You may contact me if you have pertinent information that will help our case for a specialized health facility. Please check out the power point presentation on our website. http://www.rememberrally.com
This is horrible. War is always dangerous and horrible. Diane, I am really glad you organized non-profit donating organization.
Mommo on 
Skitz M. Jones on 
THAT is some scary sh*t girl. Keep your head up and in tune… you need to know if you qualify for some relief should there be long-term repercussions from this.
<3