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

Published April 12, 2024 at 8:20 AM EDT
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.