Military burn pits have been used in the armed forces for years to get rid of waste and debris. Unfortunately, many service members and veterans have been exposed to these pits and are now dealing with serious illnesses as a result. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the dangers of military burn pits and what can be done to protect our brave men and women who serve in the military.
What Are Military Burn Pits?
Military burn pits are large areas where combustible materials like plastics, rubber, paint, armaments, medical waste, petroleum products, and other hazardous materials are burned in open air. These pits were used extensively during the Iraq War from 2003-2011 and are still being used today in some places. It’s estimated that over 2 million US troops were exposed to these toxic fumes while serving overseas.
Common Items Incinerated in Burn Pits
- Human waste
- Medical waste
- Plastics
- Paint
- Rubber
- Wood
- Aluminum cans
- Rotten food
- Petroleum
- Lubricants
- Toxic chemicals
- Styrofoam
- Ammunition
- Unexploded ordnances
Burning of hazardous materials around military bases has increasingly become a cause for concern. From combustible trash, chemicals and medical waste to human remains, the toxic smoke generated by these fires can spread far beyond those in close proximity – potentially impacting countless individuals miles away with its noxious fumes. Despite all efforts, this list may only be scratching the surface; there could well be other items being burned within burn pits that are yet unknown.
The Health Effects of Exposure To Airborne Hazards
Exposure to the toxins released by these military burn pits can cause serious health effects including respiratory disorders (coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath), neurological issues (memory loss, confusion), skin irritation (rashes), cancerous tumors, and even death. Many veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have reported suffering from conditions such as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) which is directly linked to burn pit exposure.
Toxic Exposure To Burn Pits
Toxic exposure to military burn pits is an increasing concern for service members around the world. Exposure can occur from toxic substances from these burning sites, which has known to result in long-term health problems affecting respiratory and cardiovascular systems. The effects of toxic burn pits can be serious, with some suffering physical symptoms such as difficulty breathing, headaches, nausea, and burning eyes. In addition, it may lead to more serious conditions such as cancer or birth defects in newborns; immediate treatment should be sought if toxic exposure is suspected. Therefore, service members need to understand the potential dangers of toxic exposure to military burn pits and take necessary precautions.
Long Term Health Effects That Military Burn Pits Caused (Or Cause)
- Asthma (diagnosed after service)
- Head cancer
- Neck cancer
- Respiratory cancer
- Gastrointestinal cancer
- Reproductive cancer
- Lymphoma cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Brain cancer
- Melanoma
- Pancreatic cancer
- Chronic bronchitis
- COPD
- Constrictive bronchiolitis
- Obliterative bronchiolitis
- Emphysema
- Granulomatous disease
- Interstitial lung disease
- Pleuritis
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Sarcoidosis
- Chronic sinusitis
- Chronic rhinitis
- Glioblastoma
Thousands of veterans have been exposed to burn pits and experienced adverse health consequences as a result. If you believe that your condition may be linked to these exposures, even if it isn’t one of the conditions typically associated with them, you could still qualify for VA disability benefits due to this connection. Sadly however, service members are yet not automatically presumed eligible for those suffering from illnesses related directly burn pit exposure at present – but hope is on the horizon!
What Can Be Done?
It’s important that steps be taken to ensure our service members don’t suffer any long-term health consequences due to exposure to these military burn pits. The first step is for Congress to pass legislation that would create a program dedicated to researching and treating veterans who have been exposed to burn pits in order to provide them with the best possible care they need. Additionally, it’s also important that all US bases stop using these dangerous open air burning methods immediately so that no more service members are exposed in the future.
The US Military’s Response
Despite numerous studies showing the potential dangers associated with these burn pits, the US military has yet to develop an effective plan to mitigate their use or reduce their impact on service members’ health. In fact, according to a recent report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), there is no comprehensive system in place designed specifically for monitoring air quality at military bases using burn pits. This means that many service members may not even be aware that they are being exposed to dangerous toxins on a daily basis.
How Can We Protect Our Service Members?
In order for us to protect our service members from the potentially harmful effects of exposure to these burn pits, we need better oversight from the US military when it comes to monitoring air quality at bases where they are in use. We also need more research into what types of materials should be burned in order to minimize environmental impacts while still ensuring our troops’ safety. Finally, we must make sure that all service members understand the risks associated with exposure so that they can take steps to protect themselves if necessary.
Open Burn Pit Registry
Have you heard of the Burn Pit Open Registry? It’s a registry of US military veterans, service members, and civilian personnel who were exposed to airborne toxic chemicals during active duty. It was created to help identify and track health conditions associated with exposure to these chemicals. Let’s look at what this registry is and how it can help veterans who have been exposed to hazardous materials.
What is in the Burn Pit Open Registry?
The Burn Pit Open Registry is an online database that collects information from current and former military personnel who were exposed to toxins contained in burn pits during their time in service. The registry includes details such as where the individual served, what kind of exposures they faced, and any potential health issues that may have resulted from those exposures. Additionally, it also records contact information for each individual so that they can be contacted if further research regarding their exposures is needed. You may also be asked to receive an optional health evaluation.
Why was the Burn Pit Open Registry Created?
The purpose of this registry is two-fold: firstly, it serves as a way for veterans and service members to track their own health status due to exposure; secondly, it enables researchers to identify patterns among large groups of people who were exposed to similar environmental hazards while on active duty. By doing so, they hope to better understand how these exposures affect individuals’ long-term health outcomes. This data could then be used by medical professionals when diagnosing illnesses or prescribing treatments for veterans affected by burn pit exposure.
Are You Eligible Veterans Able To Register For The Open Burn Pit Registry?
All service members who were deployed to the Southwest Asia theater of operations or Egypt after August 2, 1990 and Afghanistan, Djibouti, Syria, or Uzbekistan on or after September 11th 2001 are eligible for enrollment in this special registry. Had a tour of duty that included Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Gulf of Aden, Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, Oman, Qatar, or United Arab Emirates? Don’t worry if you weren’t exposed specifically to hazardous airborne elements – all those involved in Desert Shield/Storm (ODS/S), Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Enduring Freedom(OEF) and New Dawn(OND). will be able add their name to the list regardless!
As a Veteran, you have the right to know if your military service has had an adverse impact on your health. The Department of Veterans Affairs encourages all Veterans who are concerned that their time in service may be putting them at risk for certain illnesses or diseases to talk with their healthcare provider and apply for both compensation benefits and related medical care–all without having to participate in the registry exclusively focused upon supporting public health studies. To further explore any additional dangers associated with exposure while serving, consider visiting the Military Exposures homepage as well!
Why The Open Burn Pits Registry Is Important
Burn Pit Open Registry is an invaluable resource for veterans and service members who may have been exposed to airborne toxins while on active duty. Not only does it provide them with a way to track their own health status due to these exposures, but it also helps researchers gain valuable insight into how these toxic substances can impact individuals’ long-term wellbeing—information which could ultimately lead to more effective treatments for those affected by burn pit exposure.
By enrolling in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, you can make a difference for Veterans everywhere! With your information, VA is able to study long-term health effects of airborne hazard exposure. Even if you haven’t experienced any immediate symptoms or illnesses related to military service exposures – participation could help improve care for all those who have served our nation. See if you are eligible today by completing the registry questionnaire – be sure that your voice gets heard!
How to Address Health Concerns from Military Burn Pit Exposure
For those who have served in the military, exposure to burn pits can be a source of significant health concerns. During deployment, military personnel may find themselves exposed to burn pit smoke, airborne hazards exposures (fumes), and other toxic exposures that come from burning hazardous materials in open air burn pits. This can lead to respiratory illnesses and other illnesses that can be debilitating and even life threatening. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to address these health concerns.
Get a Medical Evaluation
The first step is to get a medical evaluation from your doctor or another healthcare professional. Your doctor will be able to determine if there is an underlying cause for any symptoms you may be experiencing due to burn pit exposure. They may recommend further testing or treatment depending on the results of your evaluation.
Take Action
If you believe that your health issues are related to burn pit exposure, it’s important to take action. You should document all of your symptoms as well as any treatments you receive, including dates and times of medical appointments. You should also file a claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA maintains a list of conditions with which they associate burn pit exposure, so it’s important to know what those conditions are when filing your claim so that you can provide any necessary evidence for consideration. To receive VA benefits you’ll have to submit a supplemental claim and show that your disability has a service connection.
Seek Support
Finally, it’s important to seek out support from family and friends as well as other veterans who may have gone through similar experiences. The VA provides resources for veterans seeking assistance with mental health and wellness issues related to their service in the military, including burn pit exposure. Additionally, there are many organizations specifically advocating for veterans affected by burn pit exposure that offer support services such as counseling, legal assistance, and financial aid for medical expenses.
Veterans Exposed Should Real Out To VA Health Care For Treatment
Burn pits are a very real concern for many members of our armed forces who were exposed during their deployment overseas. If you feel like your health has been affected by this kind of exposure, it’s important that you take action right away by getting a medical evaluation and filing a claim with the VA if necessary. You want to address health concerns related to burn pit exposures, immediately. You may be entitled to VA disability compensation. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help; there are many resources available both online and offline that can provide support in addressing these serious health concerns related to military burn pit exposure.
Conclusion
Military burn pits have been used by the US Armed Forces for years, but unfortunately many service members and veterans have had their health affected due to exposure. It’s important that steps be taken now so that no more people suffer any long-term health consequences due to their time serving overseas. This includes passing legislation that would create a program dedicated solely towards researching and treating those affected by exposure as well as stopping all use of open air burning methods on US bases immediately so no one else has to suffer from these dangerous fumes again. By taking action now we can ensure that our brave men and women receive proper care for their service-related illnesses stemming from military burn pit exposure.
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