Join VA’s Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry

VA launched the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry in June 2014 to better understand the long-term health effects of exposure to burn pits and other airborne hazards during deployment. The number of new participants in this registry is climbing steadily, and will soon reach the milestone of 100,000 participants. As of December 9, 2016, the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry includes 95,593 Veterans and Servicemembers.  An estimated 3 million Veterans and Service members are eligible to join the registry.

“The benefit of the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry for participants is that they can document their exposure to burn pits and other airborne hazards in an online questionnaire and print a copy of their questionnaire to discuss with their health care provider. Also, Veterans can get a free medical evaluation from VA.” said Michael Montopoli, MD, MPH, Director of the Post-9/11 Era Environmental Health Program in VA’s Office of Patient Care Services.

Veterans and Servicemembers who served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations after August 2, 1990, or in Afghanistan or Djibouti, Africa, after September 11, 2001 are eligible to participate in the registry.  Participants complete a survey which asks where the Veteran or Servicemember lives, what type of work they do, and their exposures, health care use, and hobbies. The survey takes about 40 minutes to complete.

Veteran signing up for the burn pit registry

Many Veterans have reported concerns about their respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and dermatologic health, along with concerns about cancer. VA would like to learn more about the experiences of those who served.

“The registry informs VA and DoD about the health concerns, exposures, and health outcomes of Veterans and Servicemembers,” said Montopoli.  “The registry will help VA provide the right health care services for Veterans in the future.”

Are you a Veteran or Servicemember who would like to join the growing number of participants in the burn pit registry?  Go to https://veteran.mobilehealth.va.gov/AHBurnPitRegistry/.  Additional information about the registry is available at http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/registry.asp.


By Stephanie Green Eber, Stephanie is a Health Science Specialist for the Post Deployment Health Services Office of Patient Care Services

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4 Comments

  1. Michael Collins December 27, 2016 at 14:11

    I am one (1) of over (1) one-million people exposed to VOC’s volitile organic compounds at Camp LeJeune, NC. The water was poison from 1950 to 1987 and the public had no clue what the Gov’t has done to keep this scandal from the YOU. This is the largest contamination of water in U.S. history and the public or VA doctors, through-out the system are unaware the exposure Marine veterans, their families (children) and civilians have gone through. I was there in 1975, just think, those children that survived are 40 years old now and the studies by the Gov’t has continued, to see if the affects of the exposure can be passed on and its’ effect on genetics.

  2. Robert E. Rendon December 23, 2016 at 17:26

    Desert Storm 1990, burning of the oil wells, my unit was within a radis of two miles. Our unit was covering the peace talks to end the war. We station on the site for over 30 days, no sunlight or nights due to the burning of the gas/oil burning in 1990.
    I compilation about the headackes and loss of memories and was told, not sufficiently by VA doctors.
    I was in Vietnam, on the beach, task to burn s–t in diesel cans. Up to a dozens can at a time.

    Do I qually for the register?

  3. Daniel G. Nate December 23, 2016 at 13:42

    This is number three, all because of a quick-changing digital number. Here comes #3.

  4. Daniel G. Nate December 23, 2016 at 13:39

    I just wrote my comment to you, and as I submitted it, the CAPTCHA Code chamged, and of course displayed same of the disappearing comment. Her’s the next on. That’s twice in one message. Think you could do some work and improvement in order to receive our comments, eh?

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