VA Establishes Burn Pit Registry for Vets to Report Health Problems

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Since 2009, more than a dozen class action lawsuits have been filed against contractor KBR Inc. and Halliburton on behalf of U.S. military service members and civilians who claim they developed lung cancer and other serious respiratory illnesses from exposure to open-air burn pits on U.S. military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. The U.S. government has recently established a registry for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan to document their health problems that may be related to exposure to toxic smoke from trash burned in open pits on military bases.

The open air burn pits were used to dispose of waste at dozens of military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. The pits were used to burn everything, including human waste, body parts, Styrofoam and batteries. Some bases reportedly burned as much as 240 tons of trash per day in the open-air burn pits. Exposure to these pits has been linked to serious respiratory conditions including constrictive bronchiolitis, a rare disease that typically develops following an organ transplant or exposure to environmental toxins.

Studies of the dust at the military bases with open-air burn pits indicated the particles contained 37 metals that have been linked to cancer and neurological disease, nearly 150 different types of bacteria and several varieties of fungi known to spread disease. When these particulates are inhaled deep into the lungs, they can cause serious health problems.

There are currently more than 200 plaintiffs pursuing wrongful death lawsuits and class action lawsuits over health problems allegedly related to exposure to toxic chemicals from the burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recently launched the Airborne Hazards & Open Burn Pit Registry for veterans who have been exposed to toxic chemicals from these burn pits to report their health problems. The registry will be used to monitor health conditions affecting veterans and service members.

The burn pit registry is open to active duty troops and veterans who served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, were stationed in Djibouti after Sept. 1, 2001, or who served in the Persian Gulf War. Veterans may request a free medical exam.

Participation in the burn pit registry is voluntary. According to the burn pit registry website, participating in the registry will not affect veterans’ access to health care or other benefits. Some participants may be asked to participate in further studies related to the burn pits.

While the purpose of the burn pit registry is to gather information and assist veterans who may be suffering health consequences from exposure to toxic chemicals, it could potentially lead to compensation for these soldiers.