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

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.
The original document contains color images.