Military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan generated enormous amounts of waste, which was primarily disposed of using large, open-air burn pits. This practice, common during operations like Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), has led to significant health concerns for the military personnel and contractors who served in the surrounding areas. The smoke and fumes released contained a complex mix of toxic chemicals that service members inhaled over extended periods. A growing understanding of the resulting medical conditions has prompted a substantial shift in how the government recognizes and supports those affected.
What Were Military Burn Pits?
Military burn pits were vast, open-air trenches used by the U.S. military to incinerate waste on Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) throughout Iraq and Afghanistan. These pits served as the default waste management solution in combat zones where conventional municipal waste services or sophisticated incinerators were unavailable. The waste disposal process often operated continuously, with fires burning twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, generating persistent plumes of thick, noxious smoke.
The size of these pits varied widely, but the largest operations were massive, such as the burn pit at Joint Base Balad (JBB) in Iraq, which covered approximately ten acres. These uncontrolled fires were often located in close proximity to troop living quarters, dining facilities, and workspaces. Lacking the high-heat containment and filtration systems of modern incinerators, the burning process was incomplete, releasing pollutants directly into the atmosphere.
Toxic Materials and Primary Exposure
The materials disposed of in these pits were extraordinarily diverse, ranging from standard trash to hazardous substances, creating a volatile chemical mixture when burned. Waste categories included plastics, rubber tires, petroleum products, paints, solvents, and chemical containers. More concerningly, the pits were also used to dispose of medical waste, including amputated body parts, as well as ammunition and unexploded ordnance.
The uncontrolled and low-temperature combustion of this refuse, often accelerated by JP-8 jet fuel, released a dangerous cocktail of airborne toxic compounds. A major concern is fine particulate matter (PM), specifically particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5), which can bypass the body’s natural defenses and lodge deep within the lungs. The incomplete burning of materials containing chlorine, such as plastics, also generated highly toxic polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, including 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a chemical compound also found in Agent Orange. Other released toxins included benzene, a known carcinogen present in the jet fuel accelerant, and numerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Documented Health Conditions
Exposure to the airborne contaminants from the burn pits has been strongly associated with a spectrum of serious medical consequences, particularly affecting the respiratory and other systemic functions. The immediate effects for service members often included acute symptoms like eye irritation, coughing, and throat discomfort, but the long-term impact is significantly more severe. The high levels of inhaled particulate matter and corrosive chemicals are understood to cause direct damage to the delicate tissues of the lungs.
Respiratory illnesses are the most commonly reported long-term conditions, including asthma diagnosed after service, chronic rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis. A more specific and serious diagnosis is constrictive or obliterative bronchiolitis, a rare and irreversible lung disease characterized by the narrowing of the small airways. Other related pulmonary conditions include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and sarcoidosis, all linked to the chronic inflammation and scarring caused by the toxic smoke inhalation.
Beyond respiratory issues, the exposure to dioxins, benzene, and other carcinogens has been linked to an increased risk for various cancers and systemic diseases. Cancers of the head and neck, as well as several respiratory cancers, have been reported at higher rates among exposed veterans. The list of associated malignancies extends to specific, aggressive forms, including glioblastoma, kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, and various types of lymphatic and reproductive cancers. These illnesses may manifest years or even decades after the initial exposure, making it difficult to establish a definitive, immediate link, but medical consensus now recognizes a strong association between the exposure and the later development of these conditions.
Government Recognition and Support
The U.S. government has taken several steps to acknowledge the health risks associated with burn pit exposure and to provide support for affected veterans. In 2014, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) established the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry (AHOBPR) to collect data from service members about their exposures and subsequent health issues. The registry is a research tool that helps the VA and other federal agencies monitor trends and better understand the long-term health effects of these environmental hazards.
The most significant legislative action came with the passage of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, commonly known as the PACT Act. This landmark law dramatically expanded eligibility for VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. A core feature of the PACT Act is the creation of a “presumption of service connection” for over twenty specific conditions. This presumption means that veterans who served in the designated locations during specific timeframes no longer have to provide evidence that their military service caused their illness. Instead, the VA assumes the service-related connection for the listed presumptive conditions, significantly streamlining the process for veterans to receive disability compensation and medical care.