Dozer operator at the Balad Burn Pits In Iraq – note the mask.
“Seriously….you want me to do what??”
Personally I’d be saying, “Take me to the airport!” The number of emails and photos I have received from readers regarding my previous post on the Balad Burn Pits in Iraq has been amazing and has prompted me to post more of their photos. The origin and location of photos is based on the information given me by the senders. I do not guarantee the accuracy. The following article appeared in the Stars & Stripes today (Nov 7, 2008)
Open-air trash burning in Iraq a hot issue
Study says burning on bases in Iraq not hazardous, but some officials, still fearing health risks, want available incinerators put to use
By Michael Gisick and Joseph Giordono, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Friday, November 7, 2008
Despite serious health concerns over the widespread open-air burning of trash at U.S. bases in Iraq, only 17 of 41 incinerators the military purchased four years ago to combat the problem are in operation.
And while plumes of smoke continue to rise over even the military’s most settled facilities, contractual issues have slowed the installation of the incinerators, which release lower levels of pollutants into the air. (Click HERE to read more)
Balad burn pit at Air Force Base
Feeding the fire at Balad Burn Pit
Un-named burn pit in Iraq
Fallujah burn pit
Thanks to everyone for all these awesome pics. If you are stationed or are working around a burn pit please take precautions.
With the recent press coverage I can only hope the DoD is working diligently to resolve this issue.
Keep sending those pics and sharing your personal experiences. Let me know if this issue is being resolved at your camp.
Ms Sparky
I ran into a similar situation many years ago on the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. The Multinational Force & Observers (MFO) was disposing of a whole host of ‘bad stuff’ by placing it all into a nice pile and detonating explosives around it. I did a lot of research, complained loud enough and to the right folks in the chain of command, and eventually we were able to purchase a large incinerator capable of properly disposing of all the ‘stuff’.
You must do all of the research involved with the health and safety issues. Remind folks that just because they are outside of the U.S. borders does not allow them to slack-off on our rules, regulations and policies. Also, burning ‘stuff’ in an open burn pit is nowhere near the same as burning in a controlled environment such as an incinerator, or in my previous case, flash burning via high explosives.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Thank you for your frank comments, observations and experience.
I have been reading the email exchanges on the Safety Mailing List, my brother forwards them to me.
I worked in Balad for a year and raised hell about this everyday then insisted on transferring to another site. I had chronic nose bleeds and head aches. Within a month after the transfer that all stopped. Our camp was right under the smoke plume 90% of the time. The stuff that settled in my hooch was unbelievable let alone in my lungs. I have no idea if I have any long term effects.
I am surprised some people are even questioning there is a problem. Yes there is a problem. I can’t even believe safety people would ask that question.
I want to know why only 17 out of 41 incinerators are functioning. What a waste of money. We heard Safety First all the time. What a joke.
Keep the pressure on. Keep it publicized. Embarrass them.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Thank you for sharing your first hand experiences. I am talking about this to anyone who will listen and even those who won’t. I have forwarded it to Congress and the news media. If we have to shame them into fixing it then so be it.
Keep fighting the fight. I can’t even describe the stink. The smoke. The migraines.
Thanks for what you do.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Thank you for your comment. It’s great to hear first hand experiences. I am talking about this to anyone who will listen. I have forwarded it to Congress and the news media. If we have to shame them into fixing it then so be it. I hope you are no longer exposed and are feeling better.
I would like to add a comment to this as well, we worked at the Personnel Processing Center (PPC) all troops deploying in and out of Iraq including Cilivians and TWN’s came to Balad. The smoke some days was so think you could not breath nor could you see. Your air coniditioner if you were was cleaned in the morning and by the end of the day it was black soot and worse part if would blow in when the winds would pick up. There was an air quality servey done and it DONEs state the air quality is well above the expected levels. I submitted the document of course not the orginal but it was lost. I am now a vet this is house bound not only by this but also the Anthrax shots and the surgerys I had in Iraq. But it all goes back to its not the Armys fault.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Thank you for your comment. It’s great to hear first hand experiences. I am talking about this to anyone who will listen. I have forwarded it to Congress and the news media. If we have to shame them into fixing it then so be it. I hope you are getting the medical treatment you need and that you will fully recover. Thanks for serving!
My husband, Major Kevin E. Wilkins, 920th ASTS Patrick AFB Florida, spent 4 months in Balad, Iraq 2006. Yes, he talked about the “burn pit”. He was a nurse. Headaches began approximately 6 months after his return. He just died on April 1, 2008 at age 51 from a brain tumor leaving myself and 2 teenagers behind. I would appreciate any guidance I could get from anyone who is in the same situation as myself regarding Veterans Affairs. Jill R. Wilkins
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I am so sorry for your loss. I will pass this information on. Hopefully some one can help you.
Any information on these burn pits should be sent to:
Secretary Gates
1000 Defense, Pentagon
Washington DC 20310-1000
I am a senior camp Supervisor at Balad There is an incenorator being built to replace it
it is located on the west side of the base
in the final stages of being operational
As for the previous gentleman
You are are working on US federal property
which means Saftey enforced Federal regulations
once the incenerator comes online things will get better
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I think that’s great. But it’s been five years of exposure. Not just at Balad. There are other facilities. And exposure to what? No one really knows. The DoD has the power and the money to make things happen. I have to blame the DoD for this. This really is negligent on the part of the DoD. And…KBR should have stepped up to the plate and told the DoD that this was unacceptable exposure for their own employees. Thanks for the status on the incinerators.
To the KBR Supervisor – WOW! What a remarkable way to apologize to Major Kevin E. Wilkins widow and family for YOU and KBR’s incompetence! Shame on you for not only continuing to work for this company, but for allowing the employees who worked under your supervision, to be exposed to such deadly toxins!
I myself was exposed to these toxin’s at another military base. I’ve been undergoing 2 years of hospitalizations and other critical illness’s because of these burn pits. Although I am glad to hear some of the bases are starting to be pro-active and put these much needed incinerators in, there are thousands of others who it is too late for. Don’t ever forget that!
I will NEVER quit fighting, posting & sharing, until the D.O.D. and the contractors admit to their negligence. My story and those of many other’s will be heard.
To Major Kevin E. Wilkins widow and family: I am saddened to hear of your avoidable loss. I sincerely apologize for the pain and suffering that you and your family have had to go through after the sacrifices you all have already given to our beautiful country. Thank you for your contributions… stay strong, keep fighting for what’s right, and God Bless!
You should have seen the burn it at Speicher!!
I would like to comment on the KBR Supervisors response about the incinerators being built. The post was dated November 23, 2008 ironically this was the very day I left JBB my tour was over.
He states that the incinerator was located on the west side of the base and was in the final stages of being operational. I want everyone to know I would not trust anyone who worked for KBR stating they had incinerators up and running. I was at JBB from March 27,2008-November 23, 2008 and during this time there was issues with the burn pit. If they had incinerators they were not operational at that time. I have photo’s too.
When this gentleman stating “you” are on U.S. Federal property which means safety inforced Federal Regulations “ONCE” the incinerator is up and running. PLEASE!! Anyone that has to do their tour of duty at any Foreign Operating Base is at risk to hazards. I was exposed and many others so don’t lead anyone to believe that your all doing the right thing. Lets just say 2003-2008 anyone deployed to JBB and other FOB’s are at a great risk.
When did the incinerator go “online” just wanted to ask since it wasn’t so pleasant during my tour there.
Does anyone have complaints from other FOB’s (Forward Operating Bases?) We keep hearing about Balad but surely other FOB’s have to be at risk too?
One year later and what is the status of these pits? Frankly I’m shocked that a) i can’t find too many reports of this issue in any main stream media and that it’s taken so long to fix this. The troops have been there how long now? And the military still can’t find a way to dispose of the trash in an appropriate fashion via these overpaid contractors. I wonder if this situation has a bit to do with how the entire operation from day one was set to “end quickly” and now it’s in a never ending purgatory.
You got it right, Maria as this was set up for a quick war and go home. Now we have been here six years.
Has anyone heard about how Al Asad served a frog in the salad and their are pictures out there as proof?
My husband has toured 4 times to Balad AB from 2003 to 2006. In the last month he has acquired a chronic cough and coughing up blood. I am so scared. He is waiting on an appointment with his doctor. Please keep me updated as much as possible on this matter, as I will update his status. I hope that someone will be held responsible for these soldiers’ deaths,and probably more to come.
I’m sorry for your husbands illness. I recommend you check out the Burn Pits Action Center and Burn Pit Lawsuit websites for more information and to contact others in your situation. Also get in touch with Jill Wilkins at Burn Pits on Facebook.