Military’s burn pits questioned
Incinerators idle at Afghanistan base
KABUL, Afghanistan – A federal watchdog agency says the U.S. military is endangering the health of troops and civilians working at the main Marine Corps base in Afghanistan by burning solid waste in open pits even as two of the base’s four incinerators – built for $11.5 million – go unused and the other two are running below capacity.
The federal Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction says in a new report that the open burning at Camp Leatherneck, in Helmand province in the far south of the country, violates Pentagon regulations and poses long-term health risks for camp personnel, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
It also said the camp was pursuing a $1.1 million contract to haul garbage to a local landfill that might not be necessary, given that the number of troops at Leatherneck has been falling as part of the massive drawdown of U.S. and NATO forces.
There are about 13,500 troops at the base now. When the number drops to 12,000, the incinerators could handle all the waste, the report says.
Leatherneck is surrounded by desert, and the air quality is notorious because of wind-blown dust. Respiratory and nasal problems are common. SIGAR issued the report earlier this month as an “alert letter” to Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin, who is the head of U.S. Central Command, which oversees Afghanistan, and Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, the commander of the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan.
In response to questions about the report, Lt. Col. William Griffin, a spokesman for the coalition, said it was trying to meet regulations by halting pit burning in some places and taking steps to reduce health risks in others.
“By July 31st, only four bases will have active burn pit operations,” Griffin wrote. “Those four bases have submitted waivers to U.S. Central Command in order to be in compliance with regulations.”
Open-air burning is used only to dispose of nonhazardous material and is monitored closely to prevent risks to those who live and work on the bases, he wrote.