The ash on the sheets that proved burn pits poisoned troops

A contractor woke to ash on his sheets at Joint Base Balad - how did that ash expose burn pits as a public‑health crisis?

The ash on the sheets that proved burn pits poisoned troops

In this episode, we follow on‑base testimony, official data, and veterans’ reports to lay out what burned at Balad and across the region, and why service members say the smoke followed them home. What evidence ties the ash on beds to long‑term illness?

Person: Leon Russell Keith Location: Joint Base Balad, Iraq Event: Ten‑acre burn pit burning 147 tons of waste daily Date: Congressional testimony in 2009; Helping Vets Act signed September 21, 2018 Topic: Documented combustion products including benzene and dioxins

- A military contractor described ash on beds, clothes, and sheets and said the thick black smoke did not stay outside. - Balad’s pit burned an estimated 147 tons of mixed waste every 24 hours, fed by JP‑8 jet fuel. - JP‑8 contains benzene (a known carcinogen); low‑temperature plastic combustion can produce dioxins linked to Agent Orange. - The Air Force recorded particulate levels; a 2011 Institute of Medicine review called evidence “limited” but suggestive of pulmonary disease. - By 2014, the National Burn Pit Registry showed high rates of COPD, hypertension, neurological issues, and adverse birth outcomes among enrollees.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved. This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: [email protected].