Veterans of the United States Armed Forces who participated in the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan over the past two decades are now suffering the effects of toxic waste incineration.
The Department of Veterans Affairs confirmed the presence of cancer, as well as skin diseases, asthma, bronchitis, respiratory, pulmonary and cardiovascular problems, migraines and other neurological disorders among ex-military personnel.
All of these health problems could have been avoided, a recent article published in local media pointed out.
Previously, the US military used jet fuel or diesel to incinerate all types of waste, which causes far more pollution than high-temperature incinerators, the material noted.
But using incinerators would have cost a lot more money, the text added, explaining that they decided to hire contractors like Kellogg, Brown & Root or KBR, a Halliburton subsidiary, to dispose of that waste.
From 1995 to 2000, Dick Cheney was CEO of Halliburton, which became US Vice President in 2001 and a key architect of the US invasions and occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan. The KBR company has been awarded non-bid contracts to handle a wide range of war-related logistical problems, including waste disposal, news outlet Democracy Now reported.
In order to maximize profits, KBR chose to use low-cost, non-polluting incinerators used to dispose of waste, tires, paint and other volatile organic solvents, batteries, unexploded ordnance, petroleum products, plastics and medical waste, including human body parts.
These perpetually burning dumps are often located next to barracks and soldiers exposed to them are equipped with little or no protective equipment, he commented in the article.
Approved by the House of Representatives back in July, the Senate last week gave the green light to legislation known as the PACT Act, which will provide medical care and benefits to millions of veterans affected by toxin emergencies.
The initiative is currently awaiting President Joe Biden’s signature to become law.
Political analysts have warned that over the next 10 years, the PACT Act will help alleviate some of the suffering caused by Halliburton’s maneuvers to monetize wars, but it only accounts for American casualties as there are none will provide aid to Iraqis or Afghans. . .