Screening Health Risk Assessment Burn Pit Exposures, Balad Air Base, Iraq and Addendum Report

Abstract

This report documents the results of ambient air sampling of multiple classes of pollutants expected to be emitted by municipal waste open burn pit operations conducted at Balad Air Base, Iraq. The results were used to develop a screening health risk assessment (HRA) of military personnel located at the site and likely exposed to these pollutants. Findings indicate that measured exposure levels from burn pit operations are not routinely above deployment military exposure guidelines (MEGs) for exposures up to 1 year, levels which are not likely to cause short-term, onset health effects. A human HRA was performed under guidance outlined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). These results indicate an "acceptable" health risk for both cancer and non-cancer long-term health effects. Recommendations are provided to reduce the generation of burn pit emissions, thereby reducing exposure to personnel.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 2008
Accession Number
ADA493142

Entities

People

  • Adam Deck
  • Gregory Taylor
  • Jay A. Vietas
  • Vivian Rush

Organizations

  • United States Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Alkenes
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Environmental Protection
  • Hydrocarbon Fuels
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Personnel
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Risk Analysis

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Auditory Neuroscience/Auditory Physiology.
  • Environmental Engineering.
  • Psychological Intervention/Treatment for Stress, Anxiety, PTSD, and Related Emotional and Cognitive Health Symptoms.