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CHICAGO — Exposure to toxic smoke from military burn pits may be putting millions of US veterans at risk for neurologic disorders, new research suggested, raising fresh questions about the long-term health consequences of a widely used wartime waste-disposal practice.
Investigators found that veterans who lived or worked near the open-air pits — used to burn everything from plastics to medical waste — were significantly more likely to develop conditions including headache and vertigo.
“It’s been estimated that over time, approximately 4 million veterans may have been exposed to the combustion of plastics, metals, medical waste, human waste, and other chemicals,” said study investigator Sarah Anthony, research assistant with the VA Headache Centers of Excellence and the Department of Neurology at Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
The findings were presented on April 21 at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 2026 Annual Meeting.
Toxic Legacy
Open burn pits — large, open-air sites used to burn military waste — were widely used during US deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan after 9/11. The fires produced thick plumes of smoke containing a complex mix of hazardous pollutants, including fine particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and carcinogenic chemicals, exposing service members who lived and worked nearby.
Amid growing concerns, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) established the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry in 2014 to study the long-term health effects of deployment-related airborne exposures, including burn pits, Anthony said.
Since its inception, multiple studies have linked burn pit exposure to respiratory conditions such as chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as cardiovascular issues such as hypertension. More recently, Anthony et al reported an association between burn pit exposure and incident headache.
To better understand whether those risks extend beyond previously reported conditions, the researchers set out to examine the relationship between burn pit exposure and a broader range of neurologic disorders.
Analyzing data from > 245,000 registry participants, researchers found that 66% had ≥ 1 neurologic diagnosis, largely driven by common conditions such as headache.
Those with the highest exposure — living near burn pits and performing related duties — had 36% higher odds of developing a neurologic disorder than less-exposed veterans (odds ratio [OR], 1.36).
The risk for any headache disorder was 57% higher (OR, 1.57) and the risk for vertigo was 25% higher (OR, 1.25) in those with the highest exposure levels than in their peers with lower burn pit exposure.
For every additional 6 months of exposure, the odds of developing any neurologic disorder, headache, or vertigo continued to rise, reinforcing concerns about long-term harm to the brain.
There were no statistically significant associations between burn pit exposure and several other neurologic diseases, including epilepsy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
The researchers also found an inverse association between burn pit exposure and Parkinson’s disease, meaning exposed veterans appeared less likely to be diagnosed with the disorder. However, Anthony cautioned that this may reflect the relatively young age of the study population rather than a true protective effect.
Anthony emphasized that the findings are preliminary and may underestimate long-term risks as many neurologic diseases develop over decades. She also noted that burn pit exposure was based on self-reported registry data, which has the potential to introduce bias.
Additional work is needed to understand the neurologic sequela of deployment-related airborne hazards, including exposure to open burn pits “as this remains important for veteran health policy, long term surveillance, and clinical care,” she said.
Long-term monitoring is critical, particularly as exposed veterans age and further studies should consider leveraging data from the VA toxic exposure screening initiatives, which are now part of routine care, as mandated by the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act.
Predictable Associations, More Study Needed
These findings, said David D. Lo, MD, PhD, distinguished professor of biomedical sciences, University of California Riverside, School of Medicine, said this is “another study that aims to highlight an association between possible burn pit exposure and a variety of health effects.”
Given the well-established risks of inhaling smoke from burning mixed waste, the findings are not surprising, said Lo, who was not involved in the research.
He noted that the study has important limitations, particularly because exposure was based on self-reports, making it difficult to accurately measure how much smoke individual participants were actually exposed to.
“If these findings are suggestive, it is hoped that they spur very real direct funding for more detailed clinical studies on the mechanisms of how the burn pit exposure would actually be responsible for one or more of the clinical outcomes listed in this study, instead of just adding up more statistical correlations,” said Lo.
This study had no commercial funding. Disclosure information for study authors is available in the original study publication. Lo reported having no relevant disclosures.
A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.
CHICAGO — Exposure to toxic smoke from military burn pits may be putting millions of US veterans at risk for neurologic disorders, new research suggested, raising fresh questions about the long-term health consequences of a widely used wartime waste-disposal practice.
Investigators found that veterans who lived or worked near the open-air pits — used to burn everything from plastics to medical waste — were significantly more likely to develop conditions including headache and vertigo.
“It’s been estimated that over time, approximately 4 million veterans may have been exposed to the combustion of plastics, metals, medical waste, human waste, and other chemicals,” said study investigator Sarah Anthony, research assistant with the VA Headache Centers of Excellence and the Department of Neurology at Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
The findings were presented on April 21 at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 2026 Annual Meeting.
Toxic Legacy
Open burn pits — large, open-air sites used to burn military waste — were widely used during US deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan after 9/11. The fires produced thick plumes of smoke containing a complex mix of hazardous pollutants, including fine particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and carcinogenic chemicals, exposing service members who lived and worked nearby.
Amid growing concerns, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) established the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry in 2014 to study the long-term health effects of deployment-related airborne exposures, including burn pits, Anthony said.
Since its inception, multiple studies have linked burn pit exposure to respiratory conditions such as chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as cardiovascular issues such as hypertension. More recently, Anthony et al reported an association between burn pit exposure and incident headache.
To better understand whether those risks extend beyond previously reported conditions, the researchers set out to examine the relationship between burn pit exposure and a broader range of neurologic disorders.
Analyzing data from > 245,000 registry participants, researchers found that 66% had ≥ 1 neurologic diagnosis, largely driven by common conditions such as headache.
Those with the highest exposure — living near burn pits and performing related duties — had 36% higher odds of developing a neurologic disorder than less-exposed veterans (odds ratio [OR], 1.36).
The risk for any headache disorder was 57% higher (OR, 1.57) and the risk for vertigo was 25% higher (OR, 1.25) in those with the highest exposure levels than in their peers with lower burn pit exposure.
For every additional 6 months of exposure, the odds of developing any neurologic disorder, headache, or vertigo continued to rise, reinforcing concerns about long-term harm to the brain.
There were no statistically significant associations between burn pit exposure and several other neurologic diseases, including epilepsy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
The researchers also found an inverse association between burn pit exposure and Parkinson’s disease, meaning exposed veterans appeared less likely to be diagnosed with the disorder. However, Anthony cautioned that this may reflect the relatively young age of the study population rather than a true protective effect.
Anthony emphasized that the findings are preliminary and may underestimate long-term risks as many neurologic diseases develop over decades. She also noted that burn pit exposure was based on self-reported registry data, which has the potential to introduce bias.
Additional work is needed to understand the neurologic sequela of deployment-related airborne hazards, including exposure to open burn pits “as this remains important for veteran health policy, long term surveillance, and clinical care,” she said.
Long-term monitoring is critical, particularly as exposed veterans age and further studies should consider leveraging data from the VA toxic exposure screening initiatives, which are now part of routine care, as mandated by the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act.
Predictable Associations, More Study Needed
These findings, said David D. Lo, MD, PhD, distinguished professor of biomedical sciences, University of California Riverside, School of Medicine, said this is “another study that aims to highlight an association between possible burn pit exposure and a variety of health effects.”
Given the well-established risks of inhaling smoke from burning mixed waste, the findings are not surprising, said Lo, who was not involved in the research.
He noted that the study has important limitations, particularly because exposure was based on self-reports, making it difficult to accurately measure how much smoke individual participants were actually exposed to.
“If these findings are suggestive, it is hoped that they spur very real direct funding for more detailed clinical studies on the mechanisms of how the burn pit exposure would actually be responsible for one or more of the clinical outcomes listed in this study, instead of just adding up more statistical correlations,” said Lo.
This study had no commercial funding. Disclosure information for study authors is available in the original study publication. Lo reported having no relevant disclosures.
A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.
CHICAGO — Exposure to toxic smoke from military burn pits may be putting millions of US veterans at risk for neurologic disorders, new research suggested, raising fresh questions about the long-term health consequences of a widely used wartime waste-disposal practice.
Investigators found that veterans who lived or worked near the open-air pits — used to burn everything from plastics to medical waste — were significantly more likely to develop conditions including headache and vertigo.
“It’s been estimated that over time, approximately 4 million veterans may have been exposed to the combustion of plastics, metals, medical waste, human waste, and other chemicals,” said study investigator Sarah Anthony, research assistant with the VA Headache Centers of Excellence and the Department of Neurology at Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
The findings were presented on April 21 at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 2026 Annual Meeting.
Toxic Legacy
Open burn pits — large, open-air sites used to burn military waste — were widely used during US deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan after 9/11. The fires produced thick plumes of smoke containing a complex mix of hazardous pollutants, including fine particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and carcinogenic chemicals, exposing service members who lived and worked nearby.
Amid growing concerns, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) established the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry in 2014 to study the long-term health effects of deployment-related airborne exposures, including burn pits, Anthony said.
Since its inception, multiple studies have linked burn pit exposure to respiratory conditions such as chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as cardiovascular issues such as hypertension. More recently, Anthony et al reported an association between burn pit exposure and incident headache.
To better understand whether those risks extend beyond previously reported conditions, the researchers set out to examine the relationship between burn pit exposure and a broader range of neurologic disorders.
Analyzing data from > 245,000 registry participants, researchers found that 66% had ≥ 1 neurologic diagnosis, largely driven by common conditions such as headache.
Those with the highest exposure — living near burn pits and performing related duties — had 36% higher odds of developing a neurologic disorder than less-exposed veterans (odds ratio [OR], 1.36).
The risk for any headache disorder was 57% higher (OR, 1.57) and the risk for vertigo was 25% higher (OR, 1.25) in those with the highest exposure levels than in their peers with lower burn pit exposure.
For every additional 6 months of exposure, the odds of developing any neurologic disorder, headache, or vertigo continued to rise, reinforcing concerns about long-term harm to the brain.
There were no statistically significant associations between burn pit exposure and several other neurologic diseases, including epilepsy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
The researchers also found an inverse association between burn pit exposure and Parkinson’s disease, meaning exposed veterans appeared less likely to be diagnosed with the disorder. However, Anthony cautioned that this may reflect the relatively young age of the study population rather than a true protective effect.
Anthony emphasized that the findings are preliminary and may underestimate long-term risks as many neurologic diseases develop over decades. She also noted that burn pit exposure was based on self-reported registry data, which has the potential to introduce bias.
Additional work is needed to understand the neurologic sequela of deployment-related airborne hazards, including exposure to open burn pits “as this remains important for veteran health policy, long term surveillance, and clinical care,” she said.
Long-term monitoring is critical, particularly as exposed veterans age and further studies should consider leveraging data from the VA toxic exposure screening initiatives, which are now part of routine care, as mandated by the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act.
Predictable Associations, More Study Needed
These findings, said David D. Lo, MD, PhD, distinguished professor of biomedical sciences, University of California Riverside, School of Medicine, said this is “another study that aims to highlight an association between possible burn pit exposure and a variety of health effects.”
Given the well-established risks of inhaling smoke from burning mixed waste, the findings are not surprising, said Lo, who was not involved in the research.
He noted that the study has important limitations, particularly because exposure was based on self-reports, making it difficult to accurately measure how much smoke individual participants were actually exposed to.
“If these findings are suggestive, it is hoped that they spur very real direct funding for more detailed clinical studies on the mechanisms of how the burn pit exposure would actually be responsible for one or more of the clinical outcomes listed in this study, instead of just adding up more statistical correlations,” said Lo.
This study had no commercial funding. Disclosure information for study authors is available in the original study publication. Lo reported having no relevant disclosures.
A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.
FROM AAN 2026