Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit Exposures
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Veterans Health Administration
Information about potential exposure to toxins from burn pits during military service, possible health-related problems and VA benefits.
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Read about presumptive conditions.

“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

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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

Emphysema

Granulomatous disease

Interstitial lung disease (ILD)

Pleuritis

Pulmonary fibrosis

Sarcoidosis

Read about burn pit and other toxic exposures that are now presumptions related to the PACT Act.

Read about eligiblity for free VA health care as a post-9/11 combat Veteran.

Open Burn Pits – What Was Burned

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:

Sand, Dust, and Particulate Exposure

War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC) Training for Health Care Providers

Military Exposures Newsletter

Oil Well Fires during Gulf War

To learn more about other types of military exposures, visit the military exposures homepage.