The Burn Pit Betrayal: Iraq's Toxic Air War

During Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, massive open-air burn pits exposed thousands of service members to toxic smoke from burning waste, electronics, and chemicals. We investigate how military contractors ran these pits despite known health risks, following veterans now battling rare respiratory illnesses and cancers. The episode details the Department of Defense's initial dismissal of health concerns, the years of denied disability claims, and the gradual recognition of burn pit injuries culminating in recent legislation. Through internal documents and veteran testimonies, we expose how cost-cutting and convenience were prioritized over troop safety. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.