Joint Air Base Balad, Afghanistan- There have been active burn pits at the Balad Air Base in Afghanistan for
some time, its one method that is used to dispose of waste. For now, the use of these burn pits will continue, but the US Military is trying to find a way to minimize and possibly eventually eliminate these burn pits.
“We have put a lot of effort in trying to relocate the pits to remote areas of our operating bases, to minimize exposure,” said General David Petraeus. General Petraeus is the new commanding officer of US Central Command.
“We are working to make sure all personnel dealing with these pits are using proper operating processes and procedures, to make sure any corrective action with these burn pits is being done,” said General Petraeus.
Several members of the US Congress wrote a letter to General Petraeus asking if the current burn pits were necessary. Testing of different toxin levels and other contaminants from these burn pits appear to be within acceptable levels, but continued testing progresses forward.
Many members of the US Military stationed in Afghanistan near the Balad Air Base have contacted the Military Times news organization claiming they are sick with a variety of issues while they are stationed at the Balad Air Base.
