© 2024 Boise State Public Radio
NPR in Idaho
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Click here for information on transmitter status in the Treasure and Magic Valleys

How researchers are using AI to measure health effects of burn pit fumes on veterans

In a 2004 photo, Army Sgt. Richard Ganske uses a bulldozer to maneuver trash into a burn pit in Balad, Iraq. Burn pits were common at U.S. military outposts in Iraq and Afghanistan, where troops incinerated tons of waste every day. (Abel Trevino/U.S. Army)
In a 2004 photo, Army Sgt. Richard Ganske uses a bulldozer to maneuver trash into a burn pit in Balad, Iraq. Burn pits were common at U.S. military outposts in Iraq and Afghanistan, where troops incinerated tons of waste every day. (Abel Trevino/U.S. Army)

A long-term study will track health data for veterans who were exposed to fumes from toxic burn pits during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The military used open-air burn pits to get rid of garbage.

Desiree D’Iorio of American Homefront Project reports.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

Copyright 2024 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

You make stories like this possible.

The biggest portion of Boise State Public Radio's funding comes from readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

Your donation today helps make our local reporting free for our entire community.