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“Airborne hazard” refers to any sort of contaminant or potentially toxic substance that we are exposed to through the air we breathe. While on active duty, military service members may have been exposed to a variety of airborne hazards including:
The smoke and fumes from open burn pits
Sand, dust, and particulate matter
General air pollution common in certain countries
Fuel, aircraft exhaust, and other mechanical fumes
Smoke from oil well fires
Click to expand the map of countries and bodies of water currently included in the VA Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry.
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VA understands that many Veterans are especially concerned about exposure to the smoke and fumes generated by open burn pits.
In Iraq, Afghanistan, and other areas of the Southwest Asia theater of military operations, open-air combustion of trash and other waste in burn pits was a common practice. The Department of Defense has now closed out most burn pits and is planning to close the remainder.
Depending on a variety of factors, you may experience health effects related to this exposure. Factors that may indicate you have a greater or lesser risk of short or long-term health effects include:
Types of waste burned
Proximity, amount of time, and frequency of exposure
Wind direction and other weather-related factors
Presence of other airborne or environmental hazards in the area
Researchers, including experts at VA, are actively studying airborne hazards like burn pits and other military environmental exposures. Ongoing research will help us better understand potential long-term health effects and provide you with better care and services.
Many health conditions related to these hazards are temporary and should disappear after the exposure ends. Other longer-term health issues may be caused by a combination of hazardous exposures, injuries, or illnesses you may have experienced during your military service including blast or noise injuries.
Presumptive Conditions for Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit Exposures
The following are presumptive conditions:
Brain cancer
Gastrointestinal cancer of any type
Glioblastoma
Head cancer of any type
Kidney cancer
Lymphatic cancer of any type
Lymphoma of any type
Melanoma
Neck cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Reproductive cancer of any type
Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx
Squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea
Adenocarcinoma of the trachea
Salivary gland-type tumors of the trachea
Adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung
Large cell carcinoma of the lung
Salivary gland-type tumors of the lung
Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung
Typical and atypical carcinoid of the lung
Respiratory (breathing-related) cancer of any type
Asthma that was diagnosed after service
Chronic bronchitis
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Chronic rhinitis
Chronic sinusitis
Constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitis
We encourage all Veterans who are concerned about exposure to burn pits or other airborne hazards to talk to talk to your health care provider, apply for VA health care, and file a claim for compensation and benefits. You do not have to file a VA claim to receive care from VA.
If you served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan or Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or New Dawn (OND) in Iraq, you can receive free VA health care for up to 10 years after separation from the military. Taking advantage of this enhanced eligibility period may help your VA claim for compensation, benefits, and health care later
Waste products commonly disposed of in open burn pits include:
Chemicals, paint, medical and human waste
Metal and aluminum cans
Munitions and unexploded ordnance
Petroleum and lubricant products
Plastics, rubber, wood, and food waste
Exposure to smoke created by burning these materials may cause irritation and burning of eyes or throat, coughing, breathing difficulties, skin itching or rashes. Many of these conditions are temporary and resolve on their own when the exposure ends. However, if you were closer to burn pit smoke or were exposed for longer periods of time, you may be at greater risk for longer-term health conditions.
Additional Information
Please refer to the resources below for additional information:
Open air pits used to burn several waste products, including, but not limited to: chemicals, paint, medical and human waste, metal/aluminum cans, munitions, petroleum and lubricant products, plastics and Styrofoam, rubber, wood, and food waste.
Veterans who were deployed to any area where a burn pit was operated.
inhalation
Southwest Asia, South-Central Asia, Southeastern Europe, Africa
Gulf War, Operation Joint Endeavor (OJE), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) / Operation Freedom's Sentinel (OFS), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) / Operation New Dawn (OND)
1990-1991, 2001-2021
Toxicants in burn pit smoke may affect the skin, eyes, respiratory and cardiovascular systems, gastrointestinal tract and internal organs. Acute effects include eye irritation and burning, coughing and throat irritation, breathing difficulties, and skin itching and rashes.
Veterans who were closer to burn pit smoke or exposed for longer periods may be at greater risk for more serious effects, including some cancers. Health effects depend on a number of other factors, such as the kind of waste being burned and wind direction.
For evaluation for difficult-to-diagnose conditions, contact your local https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WARRELATEDILLNESS/referral/index.asp.
Burn Pits Presumption
There are 20 burn pit and other toxic exposure presumptive conditions.
These cancers are presumptive:
Brain cancer
Gastrointestinal cancer of any type
Glioblastoma
Head cancer of any type
Kidney cancer
Lymphoma of any type
Melanoma
Neck cancer of any type
Pancreatic cancer
Reproductive cancer of any type
Respiratory (breathing-related) cancer of any type
These illnesses are presumptive:
Asthma that was diagnosed after service
Chronic bronchitis
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Chronic rhinitis
Chronic sinusitis
Constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitis
Emphysema
Granulomatous disease
Interstitial lung disease (ILD)
Pleuritis
Pulmonary fibrosis
Sarcoidosis
For Veterans who served in any of these locations and time periods, VA has determined that they have had exposure to burn pits or other toxins (they have a presumption of exposure).
On or after September 11, 2001, in any of these locations:
Afghanistan
Djibouti
Egypt
Jordan
Lebanon
Syria
Uzbekistan
Yemen
The airspace above any of these locations
On or after August 2, 1990, in any of these locations:
Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry: You are eligible to participate in the registry if you were deployed to the Southwest Asia theater of operations or Egypt any time after August 2, 1990 or Afghanistan, Djibouti, Syria, or Uzbekistan on or after September 11, 2001.. These regions include the following countries, bodies of water, and the airspace above these locations:
Iraq
Afghanistan
Kuwait
Saudi Arabia
Bahrain
Djibouti
Gulf of Aden
Gulf of Oman
Oman
Qatar
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Waters of the Persian Gulf, Arzabian Sea, and Red Sea
Syria
Uzbekistan
Egypt
Participants may schedule an optional in-person clinical evaluation by a VA provider.
Active Duty service members who would like a similar voluntary medical evaluation may contact your local military hospital or clinic and state that you would like an appointment specifically to address health concerns related to the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry exposures. Please note a medical evaluation is NOT required to be in the registry.
Or The eligible individual may complete the web-based self-assessment, which can be found at: https://veteran.mobilehealth.va.gov/AHBurnPitRegistry/.
19902021Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) / Operation Freedom's Sentinel (OFS)Southwest Asia, South-Central Asia, Africa
