A “burn pit” is a large area devoted to burning “trash.” In Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar, burn pits were operated at many military bases, exposing soldiers and defense contractors to toxic smoke and fumes. As a result, many soldiers and contractors now complain about breathing difficulties and headaches.
Please note that Strongpoint Law Firm represents injured contractors. Military members should contact an attorney focusing on VA benefits.
What Was Thrown Into the Burn Pits?
Reports reveal that the military and its contractors used burn pits to dispose of anything and everything. Burn pits included:
- Appliances
- Asbestos Insulation
- Batteries
- Dead Animals
- Explosives
- Human Waste
- Medical Waste
- Metal Cans
- Munitions
- Oil and Lubricants
- Plastics
- Tires
Where Were the Burn Pits Located?
The list of known burn pit locations is long. The information gathered to date reveals that burn pits may have been operated at the following locations:
- Abu-Ghraib Prison, Iraq
- Al Asad Air Base, Iraq
- Al Quo, Iraq
- Al Taqaddum (Ridgeway), Iraq
- Ali Air Base (formerly Talil Air Base), Iraq
- Al-Sahra a.k.a. Camp Speicher, Iraq
- Baghdad International Airport (BIAP), Iraq
- Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan
- Balad Air Base, Iraq
- Baqubah (FOB) (Warhorse), Iraq
- Cap Adder, Talil Air base, Iraq
- Camp Al Taji, Iraq
- Camp Anderson, Iraq
- Camp Ar Ramadi, Iraq
- Amp Arifjan, Kuwait (Camden Yards)
- Camp Bastion, Afghanistan
- Camp Bucca, Iraq
- Camp Cedar, Iraq
- Camp Chesty, Iraq
- Camp Courage, Moul, Iraq
- Camp Cropper, Iraq,
- Camp (FOB) Delta, Al Kut, Iraq
- Camp Echo, Diwaynia, Iraq
- Camp Geiger, Iraq
- Camp Liberty, Iraq
- Camp Loyalty, Iraq
- Camp or LSA Anaconda, Iraq
- Camp Pennsylvania, Kuwait
- Camp Ridgeway, Iraq
- Camp Rustamiyah, Iraq
- Camp Scania, Iraq
- Camp Shield, Baghdad, Iraq
- Camp Speicher, Iraq
- Camp Stryker, Iraq
- Camp Victory, Iraq
- Diwaynia, Iraq
- Djibouti, Africa
- Doha, Qatar
- Fallujah, Iraq
- FOB Caldwell, Iraq
- FOB Endurance, Iraq
- FOB Fenty, Afghanistan
- FOB Freedom, Iraq
- FOB Gabe, Iraq
- FOB Marez, Iraq
- FOB McHenry, Iraq
- FOB Orgun-East, Afghanistan
- FOB Salerno, Afghanistan
- FOB Sharana, Afghanistan
- FOB Summerall, Iraq
- FOB Sykes, Iraq
- FOB Warrior, Iraq
- Green Zone or International Zone, Iraq
- Jalalabad, Afghanistan
- Kabul, Afghanistan
- Kalsu, Iraq
- Kandahar, Afghanistan
- Kirkuk, Iraq
- Kut Hayy Airbase, Iraq
- Mosul, Iraq
- Navstar, Iraq
- Q-West, Qayyarah Airfield West/Saddam Air Base, Iraq
- Scania, Iraq
- Taki, Iraq
- Talil Air Base, Iraq
What Type of Injuries Are Caused By Burn Pits?
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs determined that toxins in burn pit smoke may affect the skin, eyes, respiratory and cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, and internal organs.
Debate rages as to the long term effect of burn pit exposures. In the event that you were exposed to a burn pit and you now suffer health problems, notify your doctor. Let your doctor determine the long term effects of burn pit exposures. Further, diagnostic tests are necessary to confirm the existence of an injury.