Military burn pits were a common method of waste disposal used by the U.S. military at bases throughout Iraq, Afghanistan, and other operational areas during the post-9/11 era. These open-air pits incinerated nearly all forms of base refuse, including plastics, rubber, petroleum products, chemical waste, munitions, and medical waste. The uncontrolled burning released plumes of toxic smoke containing fine particulate matter, dioxins, and other volatile organic compounds. Millions of service members and contractors were exposed to this mixture, which can lead to a wide spectrum of health problems affecting multiple organ systems. Health effects can manifest immediately during exposure or years later as chronic, debilitating conditions.
Acute and Immediate Physical Reactions
Exposure to the dense, toxic smoke from burn pits often resulted in symptoms that began during or shortly after the event. These immediate reactions are typically irritative, affecting the body’s mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract.
Individuals frequently reported a burning sensation in the eyes, throat, and nose, alongside persistent coughing fits. Skin irritation, rashes, and transient headaches were also common complaints. These acute symptoms are attributed to the initial irritation caused by the particulate matter and chemicals in the smoke. While many of these effects subsided once the individual left the vicinity of the burn pit, they signaled the body’s reaction to the airborne toxins.
Chronic Respiratory Conditions
The respiratory system is the most commonly and severely affected body system following exposure to burn pit emissions. Chronic inflammation caused by inhaled particulate matter can lead to long-term structural changes within the lungs.
Exposure is associated with the adult-onset diagnosis of asthma, characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness and reversible airflow obstruction. Persistent exposure is also strongly linked to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic bronchitis. These conditions involve the progressive, irreversible narrowing of the airways, resulting in chronic cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath that worsens over time.
A particularly severe respiratory disease associated with burn pit toxins is constrictive bronchiolitis, also known as obliterative bronchiolitis. This condition is characterized by the inflammation and scarring of the lung’s smallest airways, the bronchioles. The scarring causes the airways to narrow and obstruct airflow, leading to a profound, irreversible reduction in lung function.
Constrictive bronchiolitis is often challenging to diagnose because it does not always respond to standard asthma or COPD medications and may require specialized testing. Other chronic lung disorders, such as interstitial lung disease and pulmonary fibrosis, which involve scarring of the lung tissue, have also been identified. Chronic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis, which affect the nasal passages and sinuses, are also recognized as persistent upper respiratory conditions.
Systemic and Other Chronic Illnesses
Beyond the respiratory system, burn pit exposure can cause a range of systemic illnesses that affect other major organ systems. The fine particulate matter and chemical toxins can enter the bloodstream, triggering widespread inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, which damages the lining of blood vessels. This systemic inflammation is a contributing factor to cardiovascular effects, including the onset of hypertension, or high blood pressure.
Neurological symptoms are also frequently reported, often presenting as chronic headaches and migraines. Cognitive dysfunction, sometimes described as “brain fog,” affects attention and memory, suggesting that toxins like benzene and heavy metals may cross the blood-brain barrier.
The exposure has also been linked to persistent immune activation, which may lead to dysregulation of the immune system and symptoms resembling autoimmune disorders. Other non-respiratory conditions include unexplained joint pain, chronic fatigue, and increased incidence of sleep apnea. Toxins have also been shown to have long-term effects on the liver, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract.
Exposure-Related Cancers
The inhalation of burn pit emissions introduces known carcinogens into the body, leading to an increased risk of various malignant conditions. The toxic mix includes substances like dioxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and benzene, which are classified as human carcinogens. These exposures can lead to DNA damage, but cancer manifestation often involves a latency period of many years or decades after the initial exposure. The risk for developing these serious illnesses depends heavily on the duration and proximity of the individual to the burn pit.
Specific categories of cancers associated with burn pit exposure include:
- Respiratory cancers (e.g., lung cancer and cancers of the trachea).
- Cancers affecting the head and neck (e.g., larynx, pharynx, and oral cavity).
- Systemic cancers (e.g., gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and kidney cancer).
- Lymphatic and blood cancers (e.g., various forms of lymphoma and leukemia).