We have previously discussed the indiscriminate use of burn pits for hazardous and clinical (medical) waste destruction/disposal, mainly by the US but also UK forces in Iraq.
Somewhat remarkably, the practice still continues, to the detriment of the environment and of those exposed to the toxic cloud of pollutants released during open burning. This is despite promises in 2011 that the use of burn pits would be abandoned.
The U.S. military still relies on burn pits to dispose of waste in Iraq despite concerns that toxic smoke and fumes released by fires can cause serious illnesses to troops.
During the bulk of wartime operations in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001, the military relied on hundreds of large, open-air pits to burn solid waste, exposing personnel working the pits and others living nearby to toxic smoke.
In 2009, the Department of Defense limited the times when burn pits could be used in response to Congress and growing health concerns. DOD regulations require an incinerator to be used at any base where there are more than 100 personnel and base commanders to come up with contingency plans for the disposal of solid waste, noting burn pits should be a short-term solution only.
Now “there are no burn pits operated at any U.S. base in Afghanistan,” said Col. Michael Lawhorn, spokesman for Operation Resolute Support. However, some pits are in limited use in Iraq, according to DOD officials.
When US forces returned to Iraq in late 2014 and summer 2015 to assist the Iraqis in rebuilding their army and security forces, burn pits were put back in use, said Army Capt. Traun Moore, spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve.
more http://www.stripes.com/news/despite-concerns-military-continues-use-of-burn-pits-in-iraq-1.387141