what are burn pits in afghanistan

Burn pits in Afghanistan were large open-air areas on U.S. military bases used to dispose of waste by burning it. These pits burned various types of waste including plastics, medical waste, metal, wood, and chemicals, often using jet fuel as an accelerant. The practice began during the Gulf War and continued through the Iraq and Afghanistan wars due to the lack of better waste disposal options at the time. Burn pits produced thick toxic smoke containing harmful chemicals such as benzene, dioxins, and particulate matter, which created health risks for military personnel and civilians near the pits. Reports described the smoke as pervasive, often described as dense and black, affecting the respiratory system of those exposed. The Department of Defense estimated millions of service members were exposed to burn pits, making it a significant health concern especially linked to respiratory illnesses and other chronic conditions. By 2009, guidelines were issued to restrict hazardous waste from burn pits, but burn pits continued to be used in many bases, including Afghanistan, until alternatives like incinerators or transporting waste offsite were available. Although burn pits were initially intended as temporary measures, some operated for many years causing ongoing exposure risks. Overall, burn pits in Afghanistan were problematic open-air waste disposal sites that exposed U.S. military personnel and others to harmful toxic emissions over years of military operations.