Burn pits are areas devoted to open-air combustion of trash that are associated with combat in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other countries to which American troops have been deployed following the attack on 9/11. Millions of service members and Veterans have potentially been exposed to open-air areas with uncontrolled combustion of waste. Chemicals, human waste, paint, fuel, metal, plastics, rubber, and other materials can create hazards when they are burned in open-air pits. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), burn pit exposure will affect each individual differently since the chemicals and toxins were not consistent in each location. More like this:How To Apply for VA Disability & What You Need To Know

Health Conditions Caused By Exposure to Burn Pits

There are many health consequences that coincide with Veterans and burn pits. Some of the long-term health conditions include reduced central nervous system function, limited liver and kidney function, cancers of the stomach, respiratory system, and skin, cardiovascular damage, chronic bronchitis, migraine headaches, and other severe conditions. In April 2022, the VA announced that there are now nine rare respiratory cancers that are caused by military environmental exposures. The cancers include:

• 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

Other conditions that are presumed to be related to burn pits are asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis.

Burn Pit Registry VA

In 2014, the VA established the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry to develop data and help inform Veterans through research about potential health effects of airborne hazard exposures. Joining the registry can help the VA better understand if long-term health conditions could be related to burn pit exposure. Participation within the registry is voluntary, and your participation can help the VA even if you have not experienced any symptoms or illnesses that you believe are related to exposures during your military service. To find more information on the burn pit registry, visit the VA website.

Burn Pit Legislation To Expand Health Care and Disability Benefits to Veterans

Senate leaders have announced that they have reached bipartisan agreement on legislation to boost health care and disability benefits to Veterans who were exposed to the toxic chemicals in burn pits during their military service. The burn pit legislation 2022 paves the way for the passage of a bill that is top priority for Veteran groups who are looking to help the millions of Veterans with illnesses they believe are related to toxic exposure. Around 3.5 million Veterans who were exposed to burn pits or other airborne hazards while serving in the military could get medical coverage and other benefits. Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester and committee ranking member Senator Jerry Moran stated, “For far too long, our nation’s Veterans have been living with chronic illnesses as a result of exposures during their time in uniform. Today, we’re taking necessary steps to right this wrong with our proposal that’ll provide Veterans and their families with the health care and benefits they have earned and deserve.” The House passed a version of the bill in March 2022 that increased federal spending by more than $300 million in 10 years. This allowed for millions of Veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan to have access to VA health care even if they don’t have service-connected disabilities. The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act is a bill honoring a Veteran who passed from lung cancer after exposure to burn pits. Iraq, where Robinson was stationed, was home to many burn pits used to dispose of waste. The Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, or PACT Act, is the House plan that would establish a presumption of service connection for 23 respiratory illnesses and cancers that are related to the smoke from burn pits. The goal of the bill is also to provide benefits for Veterans who were exposed to radiation during the Cold War and the illnesses linked to Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War. The legislation for burn pits would create a process that could establish other conditions that could be covered in the future. Federal research on toxic exposure, training for VA employees, and other investments in claims processes are expected to increase.

UPDATE - Early July 2022: Bill Passes the House

The Toxic Exposure Bill gained House approval with a 342-88 vote. The bill is now likely to move on to President Joe Biden for approval. The bill will need to be brought before the Senate one more time because of slight adjustments made by the House. It is estimated to increase federal spending by $283 billion over the next ten years. These costs were trimmed slightly to account for benefit enhancements. The changes made to the federal spending costs encouraged more votes to help pass the bill. The bill will extend grace periods for Veterans who need to receive medical care from serving near burn pits. They will now have 10 years to receive medical care through the Department of Veteran Affairs. Veterans also won’t have to prove their illness is a result of exposure to the burn pits. The vast majority (70%) of Veterans seeking disability claims are denied because they have a lack of evidence. This adjustment to the bill will allow Veterans to receive compensation for their service without having to prove their illness was a direct result from the exposure. The bill will also include high blood pressure on the list of conditions that were likely caused by exposure to Agent Orange.

UPDATE - Late July 2022: Bill in Limbo

Though the PACT Act comfortably passed through the Senate, its future is now in jeopardy after 41 Senate Republicans voted against the plan, many citing objections related to how the funds were already being appropriated. Only eight Republican members of Senate voted in favor of the bill, including Kansas Senator Jerry Moran, who holds a seat on the Veteran's Affairs Committee. Because the Senate is planning a month-long recess starting on August 5, the PACT Act is now in limbo, and many Democratic leaders have expressed their dismay at the situation. [embed]https://twitter.com/PattyMurray/status/1552432974163050497?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1552432974163050497%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.militarytimes.com%2Fveterans%2F2022%2F07%2F27%2Fnew-benefits-for-burn-pit-victims-in-limbo-after-senate-republicans-block-plan%2F[/embed] Chamber leaders are still attempting to pave the way to pass the bill before the Senate takes their recess, but it's currently unlikely that the bill will reach full bi-partisan support before that time, and we don't yet have word when a new vote will be scheduled. Learn more about celebrity efforts to help our Vets:Jon Stewart Is Using His Voice for Veterans

Image: Andrew Burton / Reuters file