DOD leaders look at long-term effects of burn pits: "Defense Department leaders have launched a study on the possible long-term effects of the smoke emitted from burn pits used in overseas locations such as Iraq.
Armed services medical officials are conducting studies on the health outcomes of individuals that have been deployed to identify any health conditions associated with smoke exposure.
Burn pit smoke can cause some acute health effects in some people, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said Dec. 28. These can include eye irritation, upper respiratory ailments and coughing.
'To date, we don't have any information on any longer-term health risks that may be associated with burn pit smoke inhalation,' Mr. Whitman said.
This is the second study of the effects inhaling burn pit smoke may have."
