burn pits
Open-air waste fires
Burn pits are open-air sites where military bases dispose of waste by incineration.
Used extensively by U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, they burned everything from trash to medical waste to chemicals.
Exposure to burn pit smoke has been linked to respiratory illnesses and cancers among veterans, leading to legislation recognizing these conditions for benefits: My husband's lung disease came from the burn pits.
Visible burning combustion
- incinerationBurning waste to ash
- smolderingBurning slowly, no flame
- embersSmoldering fire remnants
- smokeAirborne combustion byproduct
Toxic chlorinated organic compounds
- carcinogensSubstances promoting tumor growth
- hazardous wasteDangerous discards threatening health
- pollutantsHarmful environmental substances
- particulatesMinute airborne solids or droplets
heavy metals · contaminants · chemical exposure · plastics · medical waste · munitions · jet fuel · batteries
Uncontrolled cell proliferation disease
- respiratory illnessSickness affecting breathing organs
- asthmaChronic lung inflammation
- emphysemaDamaged lung air sacs
- bronchitisInflamed airway disease
pulmonary disease · inhalation · cardiovascular · chronic illness · neurological · autoimmune · lung disease · toxic exposure
Organized distribution of resources
- warzoneArea of active fighting
- veteransFormer armed forces members
- baseSupporting bottom structure
- IraqMiddle Eastern republic
Afghanistan · service members · forward operating base · camp · field operations · waste disposal · military equipment · conflict zones
Official enactment of statutes
- veterans affairsAgency serving former military
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
- registryOfficial record of entries
- compensationPayment for services rendered
benefits · recognition · Jon Stewart · grassroots · awareness · claims · presumption · lobbying
flames
Visible burning combustion
- incinerationBurning waste to ash
- smolderingBurning slowly, no flame
- embersSmoldering fire remnants
smoke · blaze · fire · char · scorch · ash · kindling · fuel · heat · fumes
dioxins
Toxic chlorinated organic compounds
- carcinogensSubstances promoting tumor growth
- hazardous wasteDangerous discards threatening health
- pollutantsHarmful environmental substances
particulates · heavy metals · contaminants · chemical exposure · plastics · medical waste · munitions · jet fuel · batteries · styrofoam
cancer
Uncontrolled cell proliferation disease
- respiratory illnessSickness affecting breathing organs
- asthmaChronic lung inflammation
- emphysemaDamaged lung air sacs
bronchitis · pulmonary disease · inhalation · cardiovascular · chronic illness · neurological · autoimmune · lung disease · toxic exposure · long-term effects
deployment
Organized distribution of resources
Iraq · Afghanistan · service members · forward operating base · camp · field operations · waste disposal · military equipment · conflict zones · service-connected
legislation
Official enactment of statutes
- veterans affairsAgency serving former military
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
- registryOfficial record of entries
compensation · benefits · recognition · Jon Stewart · grassroots · awareness · claims · presumption · lobbying · congressional hearings
- Polluted Sitesdump sites, dumps, brownfields, chemical spills, oil spills
- field sanitationlatrine, latrines, hand washing, handwashing, potable water
- Gulf War illnessGulf War syndrome, depleted uranium, chemical exposure, pesticide exposure, oil fires
- military pollutionhazardous waste, toxic waste, fuel leaks, Agent Orange, depleted uranium
- Veteransveteran, vets, war veteran, war veterans, VA
- veterans benefitsVA benefits, veterans pensions, VA disability, veteran benefits, VA claims