What are burn pits? Why are military veterans worried about them?

BONUS- FOR THE VETERAN OF THE VETERAN SHARE OF THE DAY

What are military burn pits? And why are veterans worried about them?
By Leo Shane III
Wednesday, Aug 3
An airman tosses unserviceable uniform items into the Joint Base Balad, Iraq, burn pit in this March 2008 file photo from the U.S. Air Force.
An airman tosses used uniforms into a burn pit at Joint Base Balad in Iraq in March 2008. (Senior Airman Julianne Showalter/Air Force)

Burn pits are well-known within the military community, but the reasons for using them and the dangers that accompany them are less familiar to the American public. With the topic gaining prominence in recent months, here’s a look at the issues surrounding burn pits and the help veterans could receive in dealing with their effects.

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel Lt Col Charlie Brown SSG Michael Noll Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Cpl Vic Burk SGT Charlie Lee PO2 Marco Monsalve SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth ] SSG William Jones Sgt (Join to see) SrA John Monette SFC Bernard Walko SPC Michael Terrell SMSgt Anil Heendeniya CPL Douglas Chrysler A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney GySgt Jack Wallace SGT Mark Anderson SGT Steve McFarland SFC Ralph E Kelley