Any contaminant or potentially hazardous material that we are exposed to through the air we breathe is referred to as a “Airborne Hazard.” Veterans are unfortuantely highly vulnerable to such issues because they are exposed to many airborne risks while on active duty, 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

WHAT ARE OPEN BURN PITS

Open burn pits are formed when waste products are exposed to fire and produce harmful smoke. Waste products include chemicals, paint, medical, human waste, metal and aluminium cans, munitions and unexploded ordnance, petroleum and lubricant products, plastics, rubber, wood, and food waste etc. 

EXPOSURE TO THE FUMES GENERATED BY OPEN BURN PITS

Exposure to the fumes generated by open burn pits is one of the major causes of airborne hazard. This exposure is affected by a lot of factors such as types of waste burned; proximity, amount of time, and frequency of exposure; wind direction and weather-related factors; and presence of other airborne or environmental hazards in the area. 

Open-air combustion of trash and other waste in burn pits was common in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations of the Southwest Asia theatre of military operations. The Department of Defense has shut down most of the burn pits and plans to shut down the rest.

POTENTIAL HEALTH CARE SOLUTIONS

Frequestly, many of the health problems associated with these dangers are only transient and typically (but not always) go away after the exposure is over. Other long-term health difficulties, such as blast or noise injuries, may be caused by a combination of hazardous exposures, injuries, or illnesses you may have suffered as a Veteran during your service. 

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) works in providing services to the Veterans. The VA provides free health care service to Combat Veterans for five years after they leave the military to guarantee they get the care they need for health conditions related to their service. The Environmental Health Coordinator is available at your VA institution to help you with your ailment and provide more information and resources. Veterans can also make a compensation and benefit claim.

The VA also has a Registry called VA's Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry (AHOBPR). The VA encourages Veterans to join the registry and share their experience and effects they faced due to burn pit exposures to enhance their services. To be enrolled in VA health care or make a VA claim, you do not need to join the registry. Even if you have no recollection of being exposed to airborne risks during your military duty, you are welcome to join.

CONCLUSION 

As we discussed, air hazards and burn pit exposures can present health hazards for Veterans. If you or your loved ones are exposed to air hazards due to service, or been injured in any manner while in service, you are likely entitled to compensation. You can get my assistance for your case and we can answer all your questions. Please feel free to book a free consultation with me.