Burn Pits Research Articles

Occupational exposures among personnel working near combined burn pit and incinerator operations at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan

Occupational air samples were collected at Bagram Airfield Afghanistan for security forces (SF) stationed at the perimeter of the solid waste disposal facility that included a burn pit, air curtain destructors, and solid waste and medical waste incinerators. The objective of the investigation was to quantify inhalation exposures of workers near the disposal facility. Occupational air sample analytes included total particulates not otherwise specified (PNOS), respirable PNOS, acrolein and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Exposures were measured for four SF job specialties. Thirty 12-hour shifts were monitored from November 2011 to March 2012. The geometric means for respirable particulate matter and PAH for all job specialties were below the 12-hour adjusted American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists threshold limit value time weighted averages (TLV-TWA). The geometric mean of the respirable particulate matter 12-hour TWAs for the four job specialties ranged from 0.116 to 0.134 mg/m3. One measurement collected at the tower (3.1 mg/m3) position exceeded the TLV-TWA. Naphthalene and pyrene were the only PAHs detected in multiple samples of the 18 PAHs analyzed. The geometric mean concentration for naphthalene was 9.39E-4 mg/m3 and the maximum concentration was 0.0051 mg/m3. The geometric mean of acrolein for the four job specialties ranged from 0.021 to 0.047 mg/m3. There were four exceedances of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration 8-hour permissible exposure limit- time weighted average (PEL-TWA), respectively, ranging from 0.13 to 0.32 mg/m3.

Evaluation of pulmonary symptoms following military deployment

Evaluating and defining the presence of pulmonary disease in relationship to military deployment to Southwest Asia can be challenging. There are defined environmental exposures such as geologic dusts, burn pit smoke, and urban pollution for which establishing symptom causality may be difficult. With lack of information on the indigenous population in this region, it is yet undetermined whether repeated deployments could potentially be a contributing factor. While there is a generalized increase in reported respiratory symptoms, most symptoms tend to resolve post-deployment. Published studies have established diagnoses such as asthma, inducible laryngeal obstruction, and acute eosinophilic pneumonia in this population. Some controversial studies suggest an increase in parenchymal lung diseases such as constrictive bronchiolitis. In any given individual with persistent respiratory symptoms, what should be the approach taken for further evaluation? Symptoms are typically only related to exercise, while baseline spirometry and chest imaging are frequently normal. As the primary center in the Department of Defense for evaluation of post-deployment respiratory symptoms, we have adopted a comprehensive approach to these patients referred for evaluation.

Obliterative Bronchiolitis.

Obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) is a clinical syndrome marked by progressive dyspnea and cough with the absence of parenchymal lung disease on radiographic studies. Pulmonary function testing reveals an obstructive ventilatory defect that is typically not reversed by inhaled bronchodilator. Transbronchial biopsies are insufficiently sensitive to achieve diagnosis, and in most cases, clinical, physiological, and radiological data obviate the need for the increased risk associated with open lung biopsy. This diagnosis has been documented in a variety of exposures, including fumes from flavoring plants, smoke from burn pits, and environmental sulfur gas. Among lung transplant recipients, "bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome," a disorder with clinical and histopathological similarity to OB, represents the leading cause of long-term allograft dysfunction and mortality. After hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, chronic graft versus host disease of the lung manifests most frequently with similar clinical and pathological features. In all circumstances, immunologic and nonimmunologic mechanisms are thought to lead to airway epithelial dysfunction, which results in progressive airflow obstruction and debility. Augmentation of immunosuppression is occasionally effective in slowing or reversing the progression of disease though a significant number of patients will be nonresponders. Other immunomodulatory methods have been attempted in each circumstance where this pathology has been identified. Unfortunately, OB is poorly understood and often results in sufficient progression of disease to warrant evaluation for lung transplantation (or retransplantation). Here, we review what is known regarding pathophysiology and discuss clinical, pathological, radiological, and therapeutic factors associated with the spectrum of OB-related disease with a particular focus on lung transplantation.

Proposed Iraq/Afghanistan War-Lung Injury (IAW-LI) Clinical Practice Recommendations: National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine Burn Pits Workshop

High rates of respiratory symptoms (14%) and new-onset asthma in previously healthy soldiers (6.6%) have been reported among military personnel post-deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. The term Iraq/Afghanistan War-Lung Injury (IAW-LI) is used to describe the constellation of respiratory diseases related to hazards of war, such as exposure to burning trash in burn pits, improvised explosive devices, and sandstorms. Burnpits360.org is a nonprofit civilian website which voluntarily tracks medical symptoms among soldiers post-deployment to the Middle East. Subsequent to initiation of the Burnpits360.org website, the Department of Veterans Affairs started the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit registry. This paper: (a) analyzes the latest 38 patients in the Burnpits360.org registry, validated by DD214 Forms; (b) compares strengths and weaknesses of both registries as outlined at the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine Burn Pits Workshop;

Season of War

Season of War Graham Barnhart (bio) Sentry Meditation 2300 Early now in the season of peace,winter fends off the war.Passes brim over with frigid airlike brass shells in the children’s pockets. an old marble quarry bleached white as bone and sunlight in corrugated sheets So soon after harvest we eatwell and wait. Violence will comein the spring. But now village firesgather silent at dusk:boat lamps on dark water. summer sea, below the terrace, caresses with gentle, crushing hands. Each of the hills has been givena name and a distance for targeting mortars.Headlights crawl along the only roadand I practice calling for fire— pinwheels clattering against the terrace fence like sandals slapping stone stairways Distant Kalashnikovs bark at the moonThe guard tower in its steel framegroans as my relief clumpsboots up the stairs—too cold, too latefor it to be anyone else. [End Page 636] Sentry Meditation 0300 There is snow piling the perimeterwall. There is snow foldedlike clean towels on the lowburied roofs of the mess, the laundry,the barracks, and a soft lightframes the op-center door.I am an unfinished sketchin the cold on the tower: I amreduced to fingertips,earlobes, one glowing emerald eyein a gargoyle mass.No longer concernedabout attacks, I stay awake,I watch, but I am not concerned.There will be no roadsuntil the snow melts.Gusting cemetery flags have becomefamiliar. I have given upmistaking them for men.Burned garbage bagsfish-hooked in concertina wirehave stiffened with frost.One wild dog remains. These nightshe saunters throughrazor wire, finding some warm spotnear the burn pit in a ditchwe dug to direct claymore mines.To my bare eye he is invisible. [End Page 637] Graham Barnhart Graham Barnhart, after serving tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as a U.S. Army special forces medic, is pursuing an mfa in poetry from the Ohio State University. His poetry has been published or is forthcoming from the Beloit Poetry Journal, the Sycamore Review, and Subtropics. Copyright © 2015 Graham Barnhart

Respiratory tract infections in the military environment

Military personnel fighting in contemporary battlefields as well as those participating in combat training are at risk of contracting respiratory infections. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that soldiers deployed to the harsh environment have higher rates of newly reported respiratory symptoms than non-deployers. Acute respiratory diseases are the principle reason for outpatient treatment and hospitalization among military personnel, with an incidence exceeding that of the adult civilian population by up to three-fold. Adenoviruses, influenza A and B viruses, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, coronaviruses and rhinoviruses have been identified as the main causes of acute respiratory infections among the military population. Although infective pathogens have been extensively studied, a significant proportion of illnesses (over 40%) have been due to unknown causative agents. Other health hazards, which can lead to respiratory illnesses among troops, are extreme air temperatures, desert dust, emissions from burn pits, industrial pollutants, and airborne contaminants originating from degraded soil. Limited diagnostic capabilities, especially inside the area of operations, make it difficult to accurately estimate the exact number of respiratory diseases in the military environment. The aim of the study was to discuss the occurrence of respiratory tract infections in army personnel, existing risk factors and preventive measures.

Microscopy and Microanalysis of Mineral Particles in Lung Biopsies of Iraq and Afghanistan Deployers, Normal Controls, and Autoimmune Lung Disease Controls

US military personnel deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan have been variably exposed to desert dusts, smoke from burn pits, and urban particulate matter, and some have developed constrictive bronchiolitis. We performed FE-SEM/EDS and LA-ICP-MS analyses as part of a larger blinded study to identify the particle types present, count numbers of particles of different types, and map the distribution of particles and metals in biopsied lung tissue sections collected from deployers, a normal ageand smokingmatched control group, and an autoimmune control group.

A retrospective cohort study of military deployment and postdeployment medical encounters for respiratory conditions.

Deployed military personnel are exposed to inhalational hazards that may increase their risk of chronic lung conditions. This evaluation assessed associations between Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) deployment and postdeployment medical encounters for respiratory symptoms and medical conditions. This retrospective cohort study was conducted among military personnel who, between January 2005 and June 2007, were deployed to either of two locations with burn pits in Iraq, or to either of two locations without burn pits in Kuwait. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were estimated using two nondeployed reference groups. Rates among personnel deployed to burn pit locations were also compared directly to those among personnel deployed to locations without burn pits. Significantly elevated rates of encounters for respiratory symptoms (IRR = 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20-1.30) and asthma (IRR = 1.54; 95% CI: 1.33-1.78) were observed among the formerly deployed personnel relative to U.S.-stationed personnel. Personnel deployed to burn pit locations did not have significantly elevated rates for any of the outcomes relative to personnel deployed to locations without burn pits. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that OIF deployment is associated with subsequent risk of respiratory conditions. Elevated medical encounter rates were not uniquely associated with burn pits.

Determination of Trace Elements Concentration in wet and dry Atmospheric Deposition and Surface soil in the Largest Industrial city, Southwest of Iran

Dry and wet atmospheric depositions as well as urban surface soil samples were collected in eight different land use zones (during 2010) of the most important and largest industrial city, southwest Iran for determining Cadmium, Chromium, Lead and Zinc. The average of Cd, Cr, Pb and Zn concentrations in the study area for wet precipitation were 17.8 µg/L, 49.97 µg/L, 2.31 µg/L, and 0.53 µg/L, respectively. Also, the mean levels of mentioned elements were 0.144 mg/m 2 .day, 0.457 mg/m 2 .day, 0.091 mg/m 2 .day, and 0.0017 mg/ m 2 .day, respectively in dry deposition samples. Moreover, the average amounts of Pb, Zn, Cr, and Cd were recorded for soil samples as a value of 64.2 mg/kg, 197.3 mg/kg, 61.24 mg/kg and 0.73 mg/kg. As a result, the trend of metal concentrations in all media were similar and decreased as Zn> Pb> Cr> Cd. The high contamination levels of heavy metals indicate that they have been significantly impacted from anthropogenic activities (non- ferrous metal smelting, fossil fuel combustion, pit burning, gas flaring and traffic sources). According to analysis results, the significantly positively correlations between Cd-Pb, Pb-Zn and Zn-Cd were shown in all three environments.

Utilization of open pit burned household waste ash – a feasibility study in Dhaka

Informal incineration or open pit burning of waste materials is a common practice in the peripheral area of Dhaka, one of the fastest growing mega-cities in the world. This study deals with the effect of open pit burned (i.e. open burned) household waste bottom ash on fired clay bricks. Between 0 to 50% (by weight) of open pit burned household waste bottom ash was mixed with clay to make bricks. The molded specimens were air-dried at room temperature for 24 h and then oven dried at 100 °C for another 24 h to remove the water. The raw bricks were fired in a muffle furnace to a designated temperature (800, 900 and 1000 °C, respectively). The firing behaviour (mechanical strength, water absorption and shrinkage) was determined. The microstructures, phase compositions and leachates were evaluated for bricks manufactured at different firing temperatures. These results demonstrate that open pit burned ash can be recycled in clay bricks. This study also presents physical observations of the incinerated ash particles and determination of the chemical compositions of the raw materials by wet analysis. Open pit burned ash can be introduced easily into bricks up to 20% wt. The concentrations of hazardous components in the leachates were below the standard threshold for inert waste category landfill and their environmental risk during their use-life step can be considered negligible.

Single particle size and fluorescence spectra from emissions of burning materials in a tube furnace to simulate burn pits

A single-particle fluorescence spectrometer (SPFS) and an aerodynamic particle sizer were used to measure the fluorescence spectra and particle size distribution from the particulate emissions of 12 different burning materials in a tube furnace to simulate open-air burning of garbage. Although the particulate emissions are likely dominated by particles <1 μm diameter, only the spectra of supermicron particles were measured here. The overall fluorescence spectral profiles exhibit either one or two broad bands peaked around 300–450 nm within the 280–650 nm spectral range, when the particles are illuminated with a 263-nm laser. Different burning materials have different profiles, some of them (cigarette, hair, uniform, paper, and plastics) show small changes during the burning process, and while others (beef, bread, carrot, Styrofoam, and wood) show big variations, which initially exhibit a single UV peak (around 310–340 nm) and a long shoulder in visible, and then gradually evolve into a bimodal spectrum with another visible peak (around 430–450 nm) having increasing intensity during the burning process. These spectral profiles could mainly derive from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with the combinations of tyrosine-like, tryptophan-like, and other humic-like substances. About 68 % of these single-particle fluorescence spectra can be grouped into 10 clustered spectral templates that are derived from the spectra of millions of atmospheric aerosol particles observed in three locations; while the others, particularly these bimodal spectra, do not fall into any of the 10 templates. Therefore, the spectra from particulate emissions of burning materials can be easily discriminated from that of common atmospheric aerosol particles. The SFFS technology could be a good tool for monitoring burning pit emissions and possibly for distinguishing them from atmospheric aerosol particles.

Diagnosis and management of chronic lung disease in deployed military personnel

Military personnel are a unique group of individuals referred to the pulmonary physician for evaluation. Despite accession standards that limit entrance into the military for individuals with various pre-existing lung diseases, the most common disorders found in the general population such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease remain frequently diagnosed. Military personnel generally tend to be a more physically fit population who are required to exercise on a regular basis and as such may have earlier presentations of disease than their civilian counterparts. Exertional dyspnea is a common complaint; establishing a diagnosis may be challenging given the subtle nature of symptoms and lack of specificity with pulmonary function testing. The conflicts over the past 10 years in Iraq and Afghanistan have also given rise to new challenges for deployed military. Various respiratory hazards in the deployed environment include suspended geologic dusts, burn pits, vehicle exhaust emissions, industrial air pollution, and isolated exposure incidents and may give rise to both acute respiratory symptoms and chronic lung disease. In the evaluation of deployed military personnel, establishing the presence of actual pulmonary disease and the relationship of existing disease to deployment is an ongoing issue to both military and civilian physicians. This paper reviews the current evidence for chronic lung disease in the deployed military population and addresses any differences in diagnosis and management.

Physiological Employment Standards III: physiological challenges and consequences encountered during international military deployments

Modern international military deployments in austere environments (i.e., Iraq and Afghanistan) place considerable physiological demands on soldiers. Significant physiological challenges exist: maintenance of physical fitness and body composition, rigors of external load carriage, environmental extremes (heat, cold, and altitude), medical illnesses, musculoskeletal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, and environmental exposure hazards (i.e., burn pits, vehicle exhaust, etc.). To date there is very little published research and no comprehensive reviews on the physiological effects of deployments. The purpose of this paper is to overview what is currently known from the literature related mainly to current military conflicts with regard to the challenges and consequences from deployments. Summary findings include: (1) aerobic capacity declines while muscle strength, power and muscular endurance appear to be maintained, (2) load carriage continues to tax the physical capacities of the Soldier, (3) musculoskeletal injuries comprise the highest proportion of all injury categories, (4) environmental insults occur from both terrestrial extremes and pollutant exposure, and (5) post-deployment concerns linger for traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. A full understanding of these responses will assist in identifying the most effective risk mitigation strategies to ensure deployment readiness and to assist in establishment of military employment standards.

Occupational Lung Diseases among Soldiers Deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan

Military personnel deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, from 2004 to the present, has served in a setting of unique environmental conditions. Among these are exposures to burning trash in open air "burn pits" lit on fire with jet fuel JP-8. Depending on trash burned--water bottles, styrofoam trays, medical waste, unexploded munitions, and computers--toxins may be released such as dioxins and n-hexane and benzene. Particulate matter air pollution culminates from these fires and fumes. Additional environmental exposures entail sandstorms (Haboob, Shamal, and Sharqi) which differ in direction and relationship to rain. These wars saw the first use of improvised explosive devices (roadside phosphate bombs),as well as vehicle improvised explosive devices (car bombs), which not only potentially aerosolize metals, but also create shock waves to induce lung injury via blast overpressure. Conventional mortar rounds are also used by Al Qaeda in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Outdoor aeroallergens from date palm trees are prevalent in southern Iraq by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, while indoor aeroallergen aspergillus predominates during the rainy season. High altitude lung disease may also compound the problem, particularly in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Clinically, soldiers may present with new-onset asthma or fixed airway obstruction. Some have constrictive bronchiolitis and vascular remodeling on open lung biopsy - despite having normal spirometry and chest xrays and CT scans of the chest. Others have been found to have titanium and other metals in the lung (rare in nature). Still others have fulminant biopsy-proven sarcoidiosis. We found DNA probe-positive Mycobacterium Avium Complex in lung from a soldier who had pneumonia, while serving near stagnant water and camels and goats outside Abu Gharib. This review highlights potential exposures, clinical syndromes, and the Denver Working Group recommendations on post-deployment health.

Multi-channel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) in Karst Terrain, Southwest Georgia: Implications for Detecting Anomalous Features and Fracture Zones

Multi-channel analysis of surface waves (MASW) was used to map bedrock topography, image anomalies in the soil overburden, and detect variations in the degree of limestone weathering in covered, karst terrain near Albany, Georgia. Surface-wave data were acquired along seven parallel lines and two perpendicular cross-lines. Two surveys using a hammer and moving van-source were conducted to address the trade-off between lateral resolution and depth penetration. Resolution matrices show that the depth ranges most effectively imaged are 0.5–4 m for half-spread hammer data, 3–12 m for full-spread hammer data, and 8–20 m for van-source data. A steep S-velocity gradient marked by the 350 m/s contour at depths of 9–12 m is interpreted as the bedrock surface, in agreement with coincident borehole data. The models indicate variations within limestone bedrock (S-velocity: 350–700 m/s) and anomalous zones within the sandy-clay overburden. Standard penetration tests at two locations 45-m apart confirm variations in limestone rigidity suggested by the velocity models. At one location, a dissolution feature (N-value: 0) within highly weathered, saturated limestone (N-values: 12 and 19) correlates with low S-velocities (&lt;350 m/s). Borehole data from the second location shows more rigid limestone (N-values: 25 and 34) that correlates with S-velocities between 350–400 m/s. A zone of weathered rock at depths of 12–20 m imaged along a suspected fracture zone is consistent with borehole data and sinkhole formation at the ground surface. An anomaly associated with a burn pit at the intersection of two perpendicular profiles was imaged at two different scales. S-velocity models and distinct changes in apparent velocity of direct P-waves and surface waves across shot gathers constrain the lateral and vertical extent of the anomaly, and borehole data verify changes in soil composition and depth (5 m) to the base of the anomaly.

Newly Reported Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis in Relation to Deployment Within Proximity to a Documented Open-Air Burn Pit in Iraq

To assess the relationship between possible exposure to smoke from documented open-air burn pits and newly reported lupus and rheumatoid arthritis among Millennium Cohort participants who have deployed in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Prospectively assessed self-reported lupus and rheumatoid arthritis among deployers who completed both 2004-2006 and 2007-2008 questionnaires. After exclusions, more than 18,000 participants were deployed, including more than 3000 participants deployed within a 3-mile radius of a documented burn pit. After adjustment, proximity within 3 miles of a burn pit was not significantly associated with rheumatoid arthritis or lupus in general; however, one location was associated with lupus, although few cases were at this site (n = 2). Results indicate deployers potentially exposed to documented burn pits in the combined three-camp analysis were not at an elevated risk of lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

Prospective Assessment of Chronic Multisymptom Illness Reporting Possibly Associated with Open-Air Burn Pit Smoke Exposure in Iraq

To investigate the relationship between chronic multisymptom illness (CMI) and possible exposure to an open-air burn pit at three selected bases among those deployed to operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Chronic multisymptom illness (reporting at least one symptom in at least two of the following symptom constructs: general fatigue; mood and cognition problems; and musculoskeletal discomfort) was assessed, differentiating by potential burn pit exposure, among deployers who completed 2004 and 2007 Millennium Cohort questionnaires. More than 21,000 Cohort participants were deployed in support of the current operations, including more than 3000 participants with at least one deployment within a 3-mile radius of a documented burn pit. After adjusting for covariates, no elevated risk of CMI was observed among those exposed. There was no increase in CMI symptom reporting in those deployed to three selected bases with documented burn pits compared with other deployers.

The Effects of Exposure to Documented Open-Air Burn Pits on Respiratory Health Among Deployers of the Millennium Cohort Study

To investigate respiratory illnesses and potential open-air burn pit exposure among Millennium Cohort participants who deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. Using multivariable logistic regression, newly reported chronic bronchitis or emphysema, newly reported asthma, and self-reported respiratory symptoms and possible burn pit exposure within 2, 3, or 5 miles were examined among Army and Air Force deployers surveyed in 2004 to 2006 and 2007 to 2008 (n = 22,844). Burn pit exposure within 3 or 5 miles was not associated with respiratory outcomes after statistical adjustment. Increased symptom reporting was observed among Air Force deployers located within 2 miles of Joint Base Balad; however, this finding was marginally significant with no evidence of trend. In general, these findings do not support an elevated risk for respiratory outcomes among personnel deployed within proximity of documented burn pits in Iraq.

Birth Outcomes Among Military Personnel After Exposure to Documented Open-Air Burn Pits Before and During Pregnancy

To examine birth outcomes in military women and men with potential exposure to documented open-air burn pits before and during pregnancy. Electronic data from the Department of Defense Birth and Infant Health Registry and the Defense Manpower Data Center were used to examine the prevalence of birth defects and preterm birth among infants of active-duty women and men who were deployed within a 3-mile radius of a documented open-air burn pit before or during pregnancy. In general, burn pit exposure at various times in relation to pregnancy and for differing durations was not consistently associated with an increase in birth defects or preterm birth in infants of active-duty military personnel. These analyses offer reassurance to service members that burn pit exposure is not consistently associated with these select adverse infant health outcomes.

Automatic Detection of Pit Structures in Airborne Laser Scanning Data

ABSTRACTThis paper describes a new method for the automatic detection of pit structures in airborne laser scanning data collected with at least five emitted pulses per square metre. Oppland County, Norway, has a large number of ancient iron production sites and hunting systems. Today, these are manifested as pits in the ground. The iron production sites were used 1400–700 yr ago, and consist of charcoal burning pits, often located in groups of four around a central oven, which also occasionally can be located as a small mound. The hunting systems were used 2000–500 yr ago, and consisted of concealed pitfall traps and wooden fences, located on deer trekking routes. The fences are gone, but the pits remain. Many of the iron production sites and hunting systems are located in forested areas. The current, traditional mapping of these is relatively poor, with many individual pits missing, and poor positional accuracy of the ones that are mapped. This means that overlays of cultural heritage sites cannot be trusted when planning new highways, residential areas, cabins, etc. Experience suggests that automatic detection is clearly superior to visual inspection of the lidar data in finding small pits or pits that are not easily visible. However, visual inspection is better at finding additional information as human interpretation based on archaeological knowledge can be applied. Combining these two methods secures a very good basis for subsequent field survey. In conclusion, we demonstrate that automatic detection of hunting systems and iron extraction sites in lidar data is a valuable tool in combination with visual inspection of the lidar data, prior to field survey. Provided that the point density of the lidar data is high enough, the field survey can be accomplished ten times faster compared with the traditional approach without lidar data. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.