I was deployed for Desert Sheld/Storm...burning oil wells ect, then Iraq with the burn pits and dust, then Afghanistan with poo ponds, burning everything that can burn (both military and locals).... I know for a fact, I have a letter in my medical records discussing exposure to the burn pits in Iraq.... I suspect that over the coming 30 years or so, something will come of it (think Agent Orange for Vietnam conflict)... but nobody really knows what it will be.  Also, I think it will be questionable if the DoD even accepts responsibility for it....how long did it take to acknowledge Agent Orange??!!

Having been to both Iraq and Afghanistan multiple times, I have had about 30 friends A decade or more younger than myself be medically discharged with cancer and other major breathing problems from the black smoke of Iraq in 03 and the burn barrels, not to mention the oil field fires we tried to extinguish. The dust is bad, was bad and will always be an outside item my body doesn't like. However it doesn't say why so many fall victim to these diseases and some of us soldier on! I would hope there would be a solid study from someone and just realistically determine if there is an issue.