The Dangers of Military Toxic Exposure: Burn Pits
The VA concedes that veterans who served in specific areas during qualifying time-frames may have suffered some sort of “toxic exposure” and that they are more likely to develop certain illnesses as a result. These so-called “presumptions” give rise to “presumptive service connection,” meaning a condition is presumed to be related to a veteran’s military service if other precise criteria set forth by the VA are met. Those veterans may be entitled to compensation for their illnesses.
Did you know that the largest military burn pit was in Iraq and covered nearly 10 acres at Joint Base Balad? By 2007, this military base was burning up to 200 tons of waste daily. Nearby, some 25,000 staff members would breathe in the toxic fumes. A common method of burning military base toxic waste was to throw jet fuel on it and ignite it. The smoke veterans were exposed to would have contained various toxic chemicals. Different exposure times would also have impacted how severe the impact was on their health. Veterans with prior health problems, such as asthma or heart issues, may have been impacted more severely.
In April this year, VA linked nine rare respiratory cancers to military service. These include various cancers of the lung, trachea, and larynx. Some believe this is because President Joe Biden has a personal connection and has raised concern over burn pits on several occasions. Biden’s son Beau died of rare brain cancer in 2015. The president said he suspects a link to his service in Iraq, where toxic exposure was common.
In June, the Senate passed a toxic exposure bill that will improve health benefits for those who served in areas where they were exposed to toxic burn pits.
The Veterans Affairs Committee has been slow to respond to claims that burn pits have had severe health effects. However, the issue is now gaining more political attention.
Burn Pits Are the New Agent Orange
Just as Agent Orange has become analogous to Vietnam, burn pits are becoming increasingly associated with military service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Burn pits were commonly used in these areas to dispose of a variety of waste products. Much of this waste consisted of household trash, but, also contained more toxic substances including paint, plastic, human waste, and much more.
These burn pits emitted airborne hazards such as smoke, fumes, and particulate matter often nearby to where service members lived and worked. Imagine–thick billows of black smoke the wind then spreads in multiple directions, reaching those even further outside the burn pit’s proximity.
The obvious major concern is the impact these airborne hazards can have on the lungs when breathed in. Of course, other issues could include skin, cardiovascular, and neurological concerns.
After studying the effects of these airborne hazards on the long-term health of those exposed, the Department of Defense closed out most burn pits, and plans are in place to close those remaining.
Tragically, that action comes too late for the roughly 3.5 million troops who already suffered exposure and are now experiencing or at heightened risk for long-term health problems associated with burns pits. Many have returned home only to find that, while they may have evaded the enemy, they had developed serious, sometimes life-altering symptoms or conditions, some of which could be fatal.
Presumptive Service Connection for Burn Pit Exposure
Until recently, the VA did not recognize presumptive service connection for any conditions related to toxic exposure from burn pits.
Fortunately, in April 2022, the VA announced it would presume service connection for many respiratory ailments including asthma, sinusitis, rhinitis, and nine rare respiratory cancers.
Eligibility under the presumption for some of these conditions requires the veteran to develop these conditions within 10 years of service.
To be clear, toxic exposure alone is not enough for a presumptive service connection. A veteran must be able to show he or she has developed one of the related conditions enumerated by the VA.
Research on Military Exposures to Burn Pits
While many in the army began complaining about health problems linked to burn pits while still on active duty, research has been slow to catch up for veterans with disabilities.
The Veterans Affairs Committee has teamed up with environmental health experts, epidemiologists, and other specialists to better understand the impact of burn pit exposure on veterans’ health. They also set up a registry to collect data on the health effects of toxic exposure.
A 2021 study showed very high rates of respiratory disorders and unusual cancers in those exposed to burn pits.
This method of waste disposal started as a temporary solution to get rid of anything and everything in a war zone. However, it was so cheap and easy that it became routine.
