WAFF.com: North Alabama News, Radar, Weather, Sports and Jobs-Paramedic testifies about open-air burning in Iraq
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HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) - A former paramedic from Huntsville testified in Washington, DC Friday about the use of burn pits in Iraq.
Russell Keith's doctors believe his development of Parkinson's disease is likely attributed to exposure from the burning.
Keith stood before the Democratic Policy Committee in the 21st of a series of hearings addressing the potentially life-threatening effects of open burning in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Russell said while he was stationed in Balad, he was exposed to burning daily for 15 months.
Witnesses have said that hazardous materials and medical waste were disposed of in these burn pits.
Several soldiers and contractors have come forward revealing serious health implications from neurological to respiratory problems.
"Not only was I exposed and got a debilitating illness out of it, but I also had to treat people to come into the clinic, so I got firsthand knowledge to what effects the burns had on people," said Keith.
Incinerators have been installed at some military bases, but open burning continues in several parts of Afghanistan and Iraq.
A bill was just passed as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.
It will enforce regulations prohibiting the disposal of waste in open-air burn pits in most circumstances and will require status reports on burning from the DOD.
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C'mon, play. You know you want to. The boss will never know.
