According to Leon Russell Keith, a military contractor stationed at Balad who testified at a Senate hearing in 2009, ash was everywhere, including on beds and clothes. He described  the thick black smoke was  even in the barracks . The ash permanently stain sheets. One soldier described the smoke as thick “like San Francisco fog.” Another called it “pollen dust.” The color of the smoke could be blue and black, or yellow and orange . However, it was mostly black. Everyone inhaled and ingested it. It was absorbed by their skin. Duration The burn pits were allegedly adopted as a temporary measure but remained open long after alternative methods of disposal such as incineration were available. After some years the American military did adopt other methods. Burn pits were used during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. As of July 2019, there were still nine sanctioned burn pits in operations in Syria, Afghanistan and Egypt. Per the DoD, this is a last resort when no feasible alternative exists. For longer term enduring location, conventional solid waste practices are used. Health effects On August 6, 2009,  President Barack Obama directed that federal agencies use the best science regarding burn pits to protect US military personnel and then have military commanders implement recommendations to protect those under their command. Anthony Szema, MD , Stony Brook School of Medicine , stated , humans exposed to air pollution, especially particulate matter (PM)  have high risk of death and lung disease , i.e.premature emphysema, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease  . Benzene (a component of JP-8) is a known carcinogen and it is a commonly used accelerant for burn pits. Since the burn pits are at low heat, more by-products of incomplete combustionare created and more particles are generated. Also when plastic bottles are burned it produces a neurotoxin called n-Hexane .
According to Leon Russell Keith, a military contractor stationed at Balad who testified at a Senate hearing in 2009, ash was everywhere, including on beds and clothes. He described that the thick black smoke was present even in the barracks , where it permanently stained sheets. One soldier described the smoke as “like San Francisco fog.” Another called it “pollen dust.” The color of the smoke could be blue and black, or yellow and orange , but was usually black. Duration Burn pits were allegedly adopted as a temporary measure but remained in use several years after alternative methods of disposal such as incineration were available. Burn pits were used during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. As of July 2019, there were still nine sanctioned burn pits in operations in Syria, Afghanistan and Egypt. Per the DoD, this is a last resort when no feasible alternative exists. For longer term enduring location, conventional solid waste practices are used. Health effects In 2009, growing concerns regarding the health effects of burn pits led President Barack Obama to direct federal agencies to consult recent scientific findings regarding burn pits to protect US military personnel , and for military commanders to implement recommendations to protect those under their command. Anthony Szema, MD of Stony Brook School of Medicine stated that humans exposed to air pollution, especially particulate matter (PM) , have high risk of death and lung disease (e.g. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ) . Benzene (a component of JP-8) is a known carcinogen and was a commonly used accelerant for burn pits. Burn pits operate at lower temperatures which causes more incomplete combustion, which results in greater amounts of aeresolized toxic by-products .
A
that
A
present
R
. The ash permanently stain
, where it permanently stained
D
thick
R
. However, it was mostly black. Everyone inhaled and ingested it. It was absorbed by their skin.
, but was usually black.
R
The burn
Burn
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open long
in use several years
D
After some years the American military did adopt other methods.
R
On August 6,
In
A
growing concerns regarding the health effects of burn pits led
R
directed that federal agencies use the best science
to direct federal agencies to consult recent scientific findings
R
and then have military commanders
, and for military commanders to
R
,
of
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, stated ,
stated that
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,
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, i.e.premature emphysema,
(e.g.
A
)
R
it is
was
R
Since the burn pits are at low heat, more
Burn pits operate at lower temperatures which causes more incomplete combustion, which results in greater amounts of aeresolized toxic
D
of incomplete combustionare created and more particles are generated. Also when plastic bottles are burned it produces a neurotoxin called n-Hexane