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Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit Exposures - Public Health

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padding-top:0px;"> <!-- ********** START PROGRAM OFFICE NAV ************ --> <li><a href="#" title="Public Health"><span></span>Public Health</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li><a href="/index.asp" title="Public Health Home">Public Health Home</a></li> <li><a href="#" title="Military Exposures"><span></span>Military Exposures</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> <li><a href="/exposures/index.asp" title="Military Exposures Home">Military Exposures Home</a></li> <li><a href="#" title="4 Ways to Find Exposures"><span></span>4 Ways to Find Exposures</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> <li><a href="/exposures/health-concerns.asp" title="Related Health Concerns">Related Health Concerns</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/wars-operations/index.asp" title="Wars &amp; Operations">Wars &amp; Operations</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/categories/index.asp" title="Exposure Categories">Exposure Categories</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/topics/index.asp" title="A-Z Index">A-Z Index</a></li> </ul> <li><a href="#" title="Agent Orange"><span></span>Agent Orange</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> <li><a href="/exposures/agentorange/index.asp" title="Agent Orange Home">Agent Orange Home</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/agentorange/basics.asp" title="Facts about Herbicides">Facts about Herbicides</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/agentorange/conditions/index.asp" title="Veterans' Diseases">Veterans' Diseases</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/agentorange/birth-defects/index.asp" title="Birth Defects">Birth Defects</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/agentorange/benefits/index.asp" title="Benefits">Benefits</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/agentorange/locations/index.asp" title="Exposure Locations">Exposure Locations</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/agentorange/providers/index.asp" title="Provider Resources">Provider Resources</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/agentorange/research-studies.asp" title="Research Studies">Research Studies</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/agentorange/publications/index.asp" title="Publications &amp; Reports">Publications &amp; Reports</a></li> </ul> <li><a href="#" title="Depleted Uranium"><span></span>Depleted Uranium</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> <li><a href="/exposures/depleted_uranium/index1.asp" title="Depleted Uranium Home">Depleted Uranium Home</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/depleted_uranium/DU_Exposure.asp" title="DU Exposure">DU Exposure</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/depleted_uranium/health_concerns.asp" title="Health Concerns">Health Concerns</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/depleted_uranium/DU_Screening.asp" title="DU Screening">DU Screening</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/depleted_uranium/followup_program.asp" title="DU Follow-up Program">DU Follow-up Program</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/depleted_uranium/Health_care_providers.asp" title="Health Care Providers">Health Care Providers</a></li> </ul> <li><a href="#" title="Embedded Fragments"><span></span>Embedded Fragments</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> <li><a 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Diseases</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/gulfwar/benefits/index.asp" title="Benefits">Benefits</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/gulfwar/sources/index.asp" title="Exposures during Gulf War">Exposures during Gulf War</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/gulfwar/providers/index.asp" title="Provider Resources">Provider Resources</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/gulfwar/research.asp" title="Research Studies">Research Studies</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/gulfwar/publications/index.asp" title="Publications &amp; Reports">Publications &amp; Reports</a></li> </ul> <li><a href="/exposures/burnpits/index.asp" title="Airborne Hazards and Burn Pits"><span></span>Airborne Hazards and Burn Pits</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> <li><a href="/exposures/burnpits/index.asp" title="Airborne Hazards Home">Airborne Hazards Home</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/burnpits/registry.asp" title="Registry">Registry</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/burnpits/research.asp" title="Research">Research</a></li> <li><a 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Service">Exposure during Service</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/radiation/providers/index.asp" title="Provider Resources">Provider Resources</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/radiation/research.asp" title="Research Studies">Research Studies</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/radiation/publications/index.asp" title="Publications">Publications</a></li> </ul> <li><a href="#" title="Benefits"><span></span>Benefits</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> <li><a href="/exposures/benefits/index.asp" title="Benefits Overview">Benefits Overview</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/benefits/registry-evaluation.asp" title="Health Registry Evaluation">Health Registry Evaluation</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/benefits/health-care.asp" title="Health Care">Health Care</a></li> </ul> <li><a href="/exposures/providers/index.asp" title="Provider Resources">Provider Resources</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/research-studies.asp" title="Research Studies">Research Studies</a></li> <li><a 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Veterans' Illnesses</a></li> <li><a href="#" title="Influenza (Flu)"><span></span>Influenza (Flu)</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> <li><a href="/flu/index.asp" title="Influenza (Flu) Home">Influenza (Flu) Home</a></li> <li><a href="/flu/about.asp" title="About Flu">About Flu</a></li> <li><a href="/flu/vaccination/index.asp" title="Vaccination">Vaccination</a></li> <li><a href="/flu/prevention/index.asp" title="Prevent Flu">Prevent Flu</a></li> <li><a href="/flu/treatment/index.asp" title="Treatment">Treatment</a></li> <li><a href="/flu/materials/index.asp" title="Tools &amp; Materials">Tools &amp; Materials</a></li> <li><a href="/flu/professionals/index.asp" title="For Health Professionals">For Health Professionals</a></li> <li><a href="/flu/pandemic/index.asp" title="Pandemic Flu">Pandemic Flu</a></li> </ul> </ul> <li><a href="#" title="Health &amp; Wellness"><span></span>Health &amp; Wellness</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> <li><a href="/health-wellness.asp" title="Health &amp; Wellness 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title="Patient Treatment"><span></span>Patient Treatment</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> <li><a href="/patient-treatment.asp" title="Patient Treatment Index">Patient Treatment Index</a></li> </ul> <li><a href="#" title="Exposure Research"><span></span>Exposure Research</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> <li><a href="/exposureresearch/index.asp" title="Research (PACT Act)">Research (PACT Act)</a></li> <li><a href="/exposureresearch/studies.asp" title="Studies">Studies</a></li> <li><a href="/exposureresearch/partners.asp" title="Partners">Partners</a></li> <li><a href="/exposureresearch/sources.asp" title="Sources">Sources</a></li> </ul> <li><a href="#" title="Employee Health"><span></span>Employee Health</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> <li><a href="/employeehealth/index.asp" title="Employee Health Home">Employee Health Home</a></li> <li><a href="/employeehealth/clinical_occhealth/index.asp" title="Employee Occupational Health">Employee Occupational Health</a></li> <li><a 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href="/about/occhealth/workers-compensation.asp" title="Workers' Compensation Program">Workers' Compensation Program</a></li> <li><a href="/about/occhealth/violence-prevention.asp" title="Violence Prevention Program">Violence Prevention Program</a></li> </ul> <li><a href="#" title="VEMEC"><span></span>VEMEC</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> <li><a href="/about/vemec/index.asp" title="About VEMEC">About VEMEC</a></li> <li><a href="/about/vemec/projects/index.asp" title="Key Projects">Key Projects</a></li> </ul> <li><a href="/about/bios/index.asp" title="Biographies">Biographies</a></li> <li><a href="/about/contact_us.asp" title="Contact Public Health">Contact Public Health</a></li> </ul> </ul> <!-- ********** START VHA NAV ************ --> <li><a href="#"><span></span>More Health Care</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/health/index.asp">Veterans Health Administration</a></li> <li><a href="#"><span></span>Health Benefits</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/">Health Benefits Home</a></li> <li><a href="#"><span></span>Apply for VA Care</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/">Apply Online</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/">Veteran Eligibility</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/apply/active_duty.asp">Active Duty</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/family-caregiver-benefits/">Families of Veterans</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/womens-health-needs/">Women Veterans</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="#"><span></span>Determine Costs</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/communitycare/revenue_ops/copays.asp">Copays</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/cost/financial_assessment.asp">Means Test</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/about-va-health-benefits/va-health-care-and-other-insurance/">Health Insurance</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/cost/make_a_payment.asp">Make a Payment</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="#"><span></span>Community Care</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/communitycare/">Community Care Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/communitycare/programs/veterans/index.asp">For Veterans</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/communitycare/providers/index.asp">For Providers</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/communitycare/pubs/index.asp">Forms &amp; Publications</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="#"><span></span>Affordable Care Act</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/health/aca/index.asp">Overview</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/health/aca/EnrolledVeterans.asp">Veterans Enrolled<br>in VA Health Care</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/health/aca/NonEnrolledVeterans.asp">Veterans Not Enrolled in VA<br>Health Care</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/health/aca/FamilyMembers.asp">Family Members</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/health/aca/FAQ.asp">Frequently Asked Questions</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/schedule-view-va-appointments/">Schedule a VA Appointment</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.caregiver.va.gov/">Caregiver Support</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/resources/choosing-between-urgent-and-emergency-care/">Urgent Care</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="#"><span></span>Conditions &amp; Treatments</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/health/topics/index.asp">See All Conditions &amp; Treatments (A-Z)</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.hepatitis.va.gov/">Hepatitis</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.hiv.va.gov/">HIV</a></li> <li><a href="#"><span></span>Mental Health</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> <li><a href="https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/">Mental Health Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/index.asp">Suicide Prevention</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/substance-abuse/index.asp">Substance Abuse</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/msthome/index.asp">Military Sexual Trauma</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ptsd.va.gov/">PTSD</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.mirecc.va.gov/">Research (MIRECC)</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/index.asp">Military Exposures</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.polytrauma.va.gov/">Polytrauma</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.patientcare.va.gov/RehabilitationServices.asp">Rehabilitation</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sci.va.gov/">Spinal Cord Injury</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.telehealth.va.gov/">Telehealth</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.womenshealth.va.gov/">Womens Health Issues</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="#"><span></span>Wellness Programs</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> <li><a href="https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/home">MyHealtheVet</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nutrition.va.gov/">Nutrition</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/quit-tobacco/">Quitting Smoking</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.publichealth.va.gov/vaccines.asp">Vaccines &amp; Immunizations</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.publichealth.va.gov/flu/index.asp">Flu Vaccination</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.prevention.va.gov/">Prevention / Wellness</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.publichealth.va.gov/">Public Health</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.move.va.gov/">Weight Management (MOVE!)</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/wholehealth/">Whole Health Program</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="#"><span></span>Locations</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/find-locations/?facilityType=health">Hospitals &amp; Clinics</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/find-locations/?facilityType=vet_center">Vet Centers</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.vacanteen.va.gov/">Veterans Canteen Service (VCS)</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="#"><span></span>Research</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> <li><a href="https://www.research.va.gov/">Research Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.research.va.gov/about/">About VA Research</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.research.va.gov/services/">Services</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.research.va.gov/programs/">Programs</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.research.va.gov/currents/">News, Events and Media</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.research.va.gov/topics/">Research Topics</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.research.va.gov/for_veterans/">For Veterans</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.research.va.gov/resources/">For Researchers</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/oro/">Research Oversight</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="#"><span></span>Special Groups</a> <ul class="sub-sub-menu"> 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<div class="fill"> <div id="innerContentWrapper"> <div id="innerContent" class="innerDir"> <!-- START: PAGE TITLE AREA --> <h2 class="page-title">Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit Exposures</h2> <!-- ********** END PAGE TITLE ********** --> <!-- ********** START PAGE CONTENT ******** --> <style><!-- .polaroid img { width: 100%; max-width: 250px; height: auto; } .polaroid { box-shadow: 0 4px 8px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2), 0 6px 20px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.19); float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; width: 50%; } .con { text-align: center; padding: 5px 10px; } --></style> <div> <h2>How to Get Care</h2> <p>VA health care is available to Veterans who may have been exposed to burn pits or other environmental hazards. If you are concerned about the potential health effects of environmental exposures we encourage you to talk to your health care provider, &nbsp;<a href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/">apply for VA health care</a>, &nbsp;and <a href="https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/">file a claim</a> for compensation and benefits.</p> <ul> <li>Inclusion in the redesigned <a href="/exposures/burnpits/registry-062524.asp">Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry</a> does not impact the individual health care or benefits of Veterans.</li> <li>If you are already enrolled in VA health care, contact <a href="https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp">your facility&rsquo;s environmental health coordinator</a> for more information and resources on getting care for environmental exposures.</li> </ul> <div class="polaroid"><img alt="Male reviewing information on an iPad" src="/images/hazexp/info-ipad.jpg" /></div> <p><strong>If you served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan or Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or New </strong><strong>Dawn</strong><strong> (OND) in Iraq</strong>, <strong>you can receive </strong><a href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/active-duty/#:~:text=You%20can%20receive%20free%20VA,called%20an%20enhanced%20eligibility%20period."><strong>free VA health care for up to 5 years</strong></a><strong> after separation.</strong> <br /><br />Taking advantage of this enhanced eligibility period may help your VA claim for compensation, benefits, and health care later. Veterans who served in other campaigns and regions or during other time periods can <a href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/">check their eligibility for VA health care</a>.</p> <ul style="list-style-position: outside;"> <li>Your eligibility may depend on when and where you served, for how long, or if you were discharged due to a disability that was the result of or made worse by something that happened to you while on active duty.</li> <li>To receive financial compensation and benefits for health conditions related to your military service, including burn pit exposure, you must <a href="https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/">file a VA claim</a>.</li> </ul> <h2>Service Connection for Airborne Hazard Exposures</h2> <p>Currently, VA evaluates each individual Veteran&rsquo;s circumstances on a case-by-case basis to determine whether the health conditions they are experiencing are connected to their exposure to airborne hazards.</p> <p>Through this process, we consider the unique experiences and needs of each Veteran including:</p> <div class="polaroid"><img alt="Four photos of individuals representing the unique characteristics that make up this group of Veterans." src="/images/hazexp/individuals.jpg" /></div> <ul style="list-style-position: outside;"> <li>Your number of deployments</li> <li>The length and proximity of your exposure</li> <li>The presence of other air pollution and other environmental hazards</li> </ul> <p><strong>If you are concerned about the health effects of your exposure to airborne hazards, talk to your health care provider and visit the resources below:</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/">How to file your VA claim</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/">How to apply for VA health care</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp">Contact your VA facility&rsquo;s environmental health coordinator</a></li> </ul> </div> <p style="background: #eee; margin-top:1.5em; padding: 8px;"><a title="Download free viewer and reader software" href="http://www.va.gov/viewer.htm">Download free viewer and reader software</a> to view PDF, video and other file formats.</p> <!--********** End PAGE CONTENT ***********--> <div class="top_link"><a href="#top">return to top <img alt="go" src="/va_files/2014/responsive/images/arrow_up.png" width="7" height="10"></a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-4"> <div class="fill"> <div id="rightContent"> <!-- ************************************** BEGIN RIGHT COLUMN ********************************************* --> <div id="tier4RightContent"> <div id="innerRightContent"> <!--********** START HTML Widget *********--> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="widget clearfix"> <div class="widget-title"><h4>Explore Airborne Hazards</h4></div> <ul> <li><a href="/exposures/burnpits/index.asp" title="General Information">General Information</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/burnpits/registry.asp" title="Registry">Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/burnpits/research.asp" title="Research">Research</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/burnpits/get-care.asp" title="How to Get Care">How to Get Care</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/burnpits/for-providers.asp" title="For Providers">Information for Health Care Providers</a></li> <li><a href="/exposures/burnpits/faqs.asp" title="FAQs">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</a></li> </ul> </div><!-- End HTML box widget --> <!-- ****************** END HTML Widget ********************** --> <!--********** START National Call Outs *********--> <div class="clear"></div> <div class="badge rt_badge"> <a href="/exposures/coordinators.asp" title="Environmental health coordinators directory"><img src="/images/callouts/ehc-directory-callout.png" alt="Environmental health coordinators directory" title="Environmental health coordinators directory" ></a> </div> <div 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Administration</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <!--/ .col --> </div> </div> </div> <div id="sub-footer"> <p>U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington DC 20420</p> <p class="small-print">Last updated September 26, 2024</p> </div><!--/sub-footer--> </div><!--/#footer--> </div><!--End Footer Effect --> <div id="modal-crisisline" class="va-overlay va-modal va-modal-large" role="alertdialog" > <div class="va-crisis-panel va-modal-inner va-rounded--all"> <h2 id="va-crisis-title" class="va-text-center va-uppercase">Get help from Veterans Crisis Line</h2> <div class="va-overlay-body va-crisis-panel-body"> <ul> <li><a href="tel:988" tabindex='0' id="va-crisis-primary"><i class="fas fa-phone icon-left" aria-hidden="true"></i> Call <strong>988 (Press 1)</strong></a></li> <li><a href="sms:838255"><i class="fas fa-mobile-alt icon-left" aria-hidden="true"></i> Text to <b>838255</b></a></li> <li><a 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