Environmental Air Sampling Near Burn Pit and Incinerator Operations at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.

Objective: This study presents environmental air samples collected at a US military installation with a solid waste disposal facility (SWDF) containing a burn pit from 2005 through 2012 and compared these results with occupational (breathing zone) samples.

Methods: Particulate matter (PM) environmental samples were collected as part of the installation monitoring program. Service Members in four security positions were monitored for PM and acrolein occupational exposures.

Occupational exposures among personnel working near combined burn pit and incinerator operations at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.

Occupational air samples were collected at Bagram Airfield Afghanistan for security forces (SF) stationed at the perimeter of the solid waste disposal facility that included a burn pit, air curtain destructors, and solid waste and medical waste incinerators. The objective of the investigation was to quantify inhalation exposures of workers near the disposal facility. Occupational air sample analytes included total particulates not otherwise specified (PNOS), respirable PNOS, acrolein and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH).