(Picture of a pit in use.)
Summary: Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are facing serve health impacts from activities concerning the removal of pollutants in camps. There were rather high levels of Particulate Matter found in the camp. The primary contributor to the pollution was burn pits. Troops that worked in some bases have chronic illness and various forms of cancer. Past servicemen are now using oxygen tanks to breathe, while only a few weeks earlier they were as fit as a horse. Only recently have proper incinerators been placed, but major damage has already been done to our servicemen. Reaction: I think it is horrid what happened to these people. It is even more sad that they cannot sue under current laws. Even though there is evidence supporting the claim that the army knew to some degree that using open air burn pits were a danger to peoples' health, I am uncertain that it was the case. I would hope that people come up with better solutions to problems rather than tossing rubbish into a pit of fire. I also am wondering if that the new way they are burned are any better. Won't the toxins still degrade the air quality still? With such after effects from poor quality, it make me think of citys. I am aware we also burn our trash and that we send very bad toxins in the air. It makes me think of the Story of Stuff and how dioxin is made. So are people in Philadephia, New York, and DC also being exposed to toxic chemicals?
Questions:
Would you move if you found out that your area is being exposed to toxins?
Are there clean ways to remove trash and pollutants?
Do you think people are responsible for the waste they produce?
It horrible how people are so careless about other people's health. The government should find a better way to dispose of the pollutants. They should find an intuitive way to recycle. To answer number 1: Yes, I would. I would not be able to live in a place with such lack of care about the environment.
ReplyDeleteIt is absurd that the organization claiming to be the "protecting" us cannot even protect its own workers' air quality. Being in the military is already risky enough without worrying that you are being exposed to toxins. Also, it went unmentioned what effect the toxins have on civilians of occupied lands. To answer your third question, each person and organization should be as responsible for the indirect effects they have on others as well as the direct ones, and for this reason, each person and organization should actively work to not produce harmful pollution.
ReplyDeleteThis predicament is very interesting. Now comes the question, whose lives do we value more the troops serving over seas or the 300,000 Americans who they are protecting.But, both lives can be saved if we build incinerators over there.We have to keep our troops safe and healthy so that they can protect us. With the right amount of care and efficiency the government can help these troops.In class we had discussed trash disposal,and incinerating is one of the safest ways to get rid of trash.
ReplyDeleteQuestions
1.Why didn't the army use incinerators in the first place?
2.Why hasn't this problem come up in the news lately?
3.How drastic will this problem have to get in order for troops to be withdrawn from the war, or will they ever be withdrawn because of this problem?
ಠ_ಠ One would think that we would find a better way to dispose of our trash + stuff without burning it. to answer #3 yes paople are responsible for the waste they produce
ReplyDelete