Legacy of Our Veterans' Military Exposures
Justice - social, environmental, human
Protecting our veterans' children™

Operation Enduring Freedom Exposures

Operation Enduring Freedom (Oct. 7, 2001 - present).
Environmental and Chemical Hazards
Veterans who served in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) may have been exposed to a range of environmental and chemical hazards that carried potential health risks.
Burn PIts
Camp Anaconda, home to one of the largest pits click here for burn pit locations.

Toxic Military Exposures

Burn Pits

Open-air pit waste disposal at military sites

Depleted Uranium (DU)

Depleted Uranium used in military tank armor and some bullets

Sand, Dust and Particles

Tiny airborne matter that can cause respiratory and other health problems

Toxic Embedded Fragments

Shrapnel and other metals that remain in the body after injury

Traumatic Brain Injury

Concussions and brain injury often caused by explosions

Infectious Diseases

Nine infectious diseases associated with Southwest Asia and Afghanistan military service

Mefloquine - Lariam®

Mefloquine - Lariam® Round, white pill taken to prevent and treat malaria Teratogenic Effects

Occupational Hazards

Exposures from working with chemicals, paints, and machinery during service

Gulf War Exposures

For Purposes of VA Benefits
Gulf War service is active military duty in any of the following areas in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations at any time August 2, 1990 to present. This includes Veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-2010) and Operation New Dawn (2010-2011): Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi ArabiaThe neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar The United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), Oman Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Waters of the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, and the Red Sea, The airspace above these locations.Learn more

Vaccinations

Including anthrax and botulinum toxoid. Learn more

Oil Well Fires

Oil or gas wells that caught on fire and burned and Open-air pit waste disposal at military sites. Learn more

Pyridostigmine Bromide (PB)

Round, white tablet used as pre-treatment drug to protect against nerve agent soman. Learn more

Non Toxic Military Exposures

Rabies

Disease transmitted by bite or saliva from an infected warm-blooded animal

Heat Injuries

Health problems that could be caused by extremely hot temperatures

Cold Injuries

Possible health problems from cold, mountainous climate

Noise

Harmful sounds from guns, equipment, and machinery that is often experienced during service

Source: Department of Veterans Affairs

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