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House moves to tighten rules on burn pits

The House of Representatives passed a provision Thursday in its version of the 2010 defense authorization bill that would prohibit open-air burn pits from operating for longer than 12 months in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The amendment also would require the secretary of defense to submit a report to Congress about safer alternatives to burning trash in giant pits during contingency operations. The provision was introduced by Reps. Tim Bishop, D-N.Y., and Carol Shea-Porter, D-N.H.

“Burn pits expose our troops to dangerous toxins that can cause long-term health problems,” Shea-Porter said in a prepared statement. “When they deploy, our service members put their lives at risk and do not deserve to suffer this added, unjustifiable risk.”

The amendment was endorsed by the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of America, National Guard Association of the United States, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Veterans and Military Families for Progress.

Since Military Times launched an investigation into the pits in October, more than 400 service members have contacted Disabled American Veterans saying they believe they are sick because of the pits. “More and more service members have come forward with various symptoms and life-threatening medical conditions after being exposed to burn pits used to dispose of waste in Iraq and Afghanistan,” the Military Officers Association of America said in its endorsement.

“Clearly, the prolonged exposure to the smoke and ash resulting from the burn pits is unhealthy for our troops,” said The American Legion in a statement.

“More than six years into the war in Iraq and eight years into the war in Afghanistan, the U.S. military continues daily disposal of hundreds of tons of war-zone waste in a crude and hazardous manner — open-air burn pits,” Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America said in a statement. “By limiting the use of open-air burn pits, this amendment helps protect members of the armed forces from exposure to potentially hazardous waste while serving their country, and directs the [Defense Department] to account for all of the hazardous materials that can potentially harm our military personnel.”

The amendment would give the secretary of defense one year after enactment to carry out the order. The Pentagon also would have 180 days to submit a report to Congress about the types of waste burned in the pits, as well as the feasibility of using other methods to dispose of waste.

The amendment covers hazardous waste, medical waste and solid waste — including plastic.

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LETTERS

What the troops say

EDITORIAL

Pentagon must recognize burn-pit health hazards

VIDEO

An interview with a patient at Walter Reed who believes burn-pit fumes caused her leukemia

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