Two former airmen that were stationed in Iraq file a claim towards four companies contracted by defense, stating that thee companies have burned trash containing asbestos materials, toilet waste and toxic plastic bottles. The two airmen claim that they have inhaled smoke from these fires and as a result, their general state of health was compromised.
Asbestos story facts
The two airmen are Staff Sergeant Wendy L. McBreairty and Senior Master Sergeant Glen S. Massman, both coming from Cheyenne. They performed their duties in Afghanistan and Iraq between 2004 and 2009. Both stated in a press release that the above incidents occurred on several occasions and with no warning, thus exposing nearby military officers and soldiers to the smoke containing deadly agents.
Former airmen asbestos exposure lawsuit
The following were named as defendants in the trial:
- Kellogg, Brown & Root, LLC
- KBR Inc., Haliburton, Kellogg, Brown & Root Services
The two plaintiffs gave the press a detailed list of objects and waste that the above companies are believed to have disposed of by the use of fire:
- human waste
- empty plastic bottles
- trucks and automobile parts
- rubber tires
- asbestos insulation
It is clear that by burning asbestos insulation the fibers are released from the material and by becoming airborne, they can be easily inhaled by nearby people. This kind of asbestos exposure can cause serious health issues. The plastic bottles also contain a type of carcinogen that is released when burned.
Both airmen state that after being exposed to the smoke of these fires experience chronic respiratory disorders, headaches, chest pain and allergies. Both of them were exposed to toxic smoke between 2006 and 2007, while being stationed in Iraq. Sgt. McBreairty also claims that she is suffering from rare type of arthritis as a result of asbestos exposure.
Unfortunately, asbestos exposure is not at all rare in Iraq, soldiers being exposed to the mineral from old houses and when repairing military vehicles. As other statistics have shown, this is not a single case of asbestos exposure in Iraq; several others have taken place since the solders have been stationed there.