Comment on Open Burn Pit Registry Airborne Hazard Self-Assessment Questionnaire; OMB No. New: FR Doc. #2013-13224; Breedlove, Michael E.

I worked around multiple burn pits while serving during the Gulf War in Saudi Arabia and Iraq. I participated in the burning of trash and human waste. I have had multiple episodes of gastrointestinal problems over the years starting immediately upon my return home after the war. I have had elevated liver enzyme levels ... to the point that the VA actually thought at the time I had been exposed to hepititis. I have suffered from pancreatitis and eventually have progressed into type 1 diabetes. I have also been told that I have cyst on my sinuses. I go through spells where my nose in constantly dry and uncomfortable, and then it goes over to my nose running and needing to be blown quite frequently. I also suffer from insomnia which requires nightly medication in order to sleep. I tried dealing with the VA on some of these things back in the mid-90's, but it got so aggrevating that I finally just gave up. Now I am under a doctors care and take several different types of medication everyday. On my last doctors visit in March 13 I was told that my liver enzymes were slightly elevated. I don't see anyway that we could burn various trash and human waste using diesel fuel and gasoline ... standing in an open area where the wind/breeze was constantly blowing the smoke on you ... and not be exposed to harmful things. Not to mention the sands storms blowing sand around so intensely that you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.