Whether indoors or outside, the contents and quality of the air we breathe are vital to our respiratory health and overall wellness. Prolonged exposure to airborne toxins and noxious odors increases the potential for adverse effects on respiratory health.
In recent years, the use of military burn pits and the health detriment they pose to veterans have come under scrutiny.
As used on some military bases during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars to dispose of solid, medical, and hazardous waste (in the absence of better disposal methods), burn pits filled the air with various toxins and pollutants, including particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, hydrocarbons, and neurotoxins.
Among veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, a recent retrospective study using Veterans Health Administration records found that prolonged deployment to military bases with open burn pits can be linked to increased risks for certain respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
While earlier studies were inconclusive, this study, led by researchers from Brown University, examined 459,381 veterans deployed between 2001-2011, with follow-up through 2020. It found that for every 100 days of deployment to a base with burn pit exposure, there were slightly increased odds of being diagnosed with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and hypertension. For veterans with the highest exposure rate (340+ days), they exhibited 10% higher odds of asthma, 22% higher odds of COPD, and 10% higher odds of hypertension as compared to those with no exposure. Yet, in the absence of systematic monitoring or detailed records for burn pit exposure at the time it occurred, other environmental factors may also have contributed to the increased risks.
Nevertheless, the potential long-term health outcomes associated with burn pit exposure call for continued research and the need for doctors to discuss deployment and exposure with veterans in their care. The PACT Act, a recent law passed by Congress, expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxins and burn pits,
At the office of North Jersey Pulmonary Associates, we take a meticulous look at each patient's medical history, including any exposure to possible irritants and toxins that can have an impact respiratory health. When speaking to veterans who come to our office for care, we also ask if they experienced substantial exposure to burn pit emissions. In addition to our diagnostic workup and care, we’ll discuss a referral to a VHA facility for an Environmental Health Registry Evaluation as warranted.