Archive for category Lung Cancer

A United States Marine Corps veteran, Sgt. Klayton Thomas died from lung cancer that he, his family, and his doctors all believe was the result of his exposure to “burn pits” during his overseas deployment to Iraq in 2007.  Sgt. Thomas was a 25-year-old resident of Columbus, Nebraska, who rarely drank, never smoked, and came from a home where neither parent smoked cigarettes.  In September 2009 Klayton began to suffer from back aches and pains.  He didn’t know at the time that he was suffering from the spread of lung cancer throughout his body and specifically in his spinal cord.  The aggressive cancer spread throughout his entire body, including his hips, shoulder blades, and eventually his brain.  Three months after his diagnosis, Klayton Thomas passed away in hospice care.

The term “burn pit” pertains to any designated area on a base, that a US-contracted firm/company disposes of all trash and undesired materials by means of burning.  These “burn pits” exist all over American bases and defensive positions in places like Iraq and Afghanistan.  They are enormous landfills where all materials, supplies, and trash are burned by civilian employees and military members.  The resulting effects are huge plumes of black toxic smoke rising over American bases overseas that turn the sky black, and pollutes the air our service-men and women breathe in everyday while serving in these battle zones.  Burn pits just like the one described here existed where Sgt. Thomas was stationed, at al-Taqaddum Air Base (UMSC), Iraq in 2007.  He remembered that at times the sky would get so black and thick with smoke that he would choke, and gasp for air.

What was originally supposed to be a temporary solution to excess trash and waste disposal problems of American troops in foreign countries became a common practice.  Incinerators and proper disposal methods were to be constructed on American bases, but defense contractor corporations preferred to keep burning hazardous materials such as plastics, batteries, old weapons, and ruined machinery.  They did this because it was cheaper, and they could save money by utilizing quick and easy disposal methods.  Military health officials ignored or were somehow unaware of the dangerous activity going on across military bases in the Middle East.  Evidence by other military officials has concluded that the truth behind such health hazards were buried and intentionally ignored to protect private defense firms operating overseas.

On November 6, 2009 the burn pit movement appeared before Capitol Hill, with testimony claiming that current veterans suffering from respiratory illnesses all originated from exposure to burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The Chief allergist of a New York Veteran’s Administration hospital testified that “Americans who deploy to Iraq were twice as likely as other veterans to develop respiratory illnesses” according to his four year study on the issue.  Testimony from other medical professionals stated that “burning rubber, plastics, and asbestos – all of that or any of it could contribute to the development of a cancer.”  Since December 2008, more than 300 service members and contractors across 42 states have joined in multi-million dollar lawsuits, which claim that burn pits run by military contractors are responsible for their current health problems.  This story, and the stories of hundreds of other 21st century veterans is reminiscent of the military service related asbestos exposure that plagued veterans of generations past in the United States.

On December 16, 2009 the American military’s senior health protection official, Craig Postlewaite stated for the first time, the connection between burn pits and the serious health problems that it has caused.  The Department of Defense is currently launching a more comprehensive study of the situation, which will hopefully “cement” the connection between burn pits and troops who are suffering from all sorts of illnesses and cancers.  Incinerators have begun to be employed in bases all across Iraq and Afghanistan as a result of the DoD’s findings.  But, for some it is too late.  Klayton Thomas died two days after Christmas, and was laid to rest in early January 2010.  His parents have since become very active in burn pit awareness and legislation.  His mother, Connie Thomas, has stated “I have no doubt, that burn pits killed my son.”

“Why Did Sgt. Thomas Die?” by Matthew Hanson Omaha World Herald

http://www.omaha.com/article/20100221/NEWS01/702219907