In 2003, U.S. Veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) were at a higher risk of facing an increase in chronic respiratory illnesses, according to new research from this year’s Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI).
“Veterans deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan were often exposed to airborne hazards such as burn pits and dust storms,” said allergist Patrick Gleeson, MD, lead author of the study and ACAAI member, in a statement. “We found that these exposures may have long-term health impacts, particularly for respiratory diseases that can affect quality of life for years after service.”
The study examined a larger sample set of 48,000 deployed Veterans and reviewed their health data since they served 22 years ago, comparing it to that of non-deployed Veterans. The findings, unfortunately, showed correlations with new diagnoses of asthma, chronic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), and nasal polyposis (NP), which appeared after 10 years of service.
Agent Orange and the Vietnam War
Historically, U.S. veterans and many others have been affected by chemical exposure due to warfare programs. Widely known during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1971, the chemical herbicide and defoliant used by the American military was part of a herbicidal warfare program titled Operation Ranch Hand.
The National Library of Medicine states that these chemicals were deposited on base perimeters, roadways, and communication lines by helicopters and through surface sprayings from riverboats, trucks, or backpacks. A total of 11 million gallons were used throughout the program. The results of Agent Orange use created widespread environmental damage and were connected with major health issues in people exposed to the chemicals over time. This includes American veterans and civilians from both Vietnam and the United States.
The outcome of exposure to Agent Orange and the highly toxic dioxin it contained caused not only environmental negative impacts of deforestation, but also illnesses, birth defects, cancer, and other diseases that appeared after years of exposure. The long-term exposure to Agent Orange grew in both the Vietnam War Veteran community and led to a larger public outcry, with the Agent Orange Act of 1991 put in place.
The Findings
Despite such efforts, among the key findings in the recent research was that veterans faced a 55% higher risk of asthma compared with non-deployed peers. Data also revealed a 41% increase in chronic rhinitis, while chronic rhinosinusitis rose by 27% and nasal polyposis rose by 48%.
The researchers used data from the Veterans Affairs Corporate Data Warehouse and reviewed it to make sure all participants had no prior history of these respiratory conditions before deployment. Each deployed veteran was matched with a non-deployed veteran of the same age, sex, race, and ethnicity in order to confirm these conditions as the effects of being deployed. The study consisted of a median deployment age of 26.7 years, with most being white males.
“These results highlight the need for long-term health monitoring and specialized medical care for Veterans who served in OIF and OEF,” said Dr. Gleeson. “Recognizing the connection between deployment and respiratory disease can guide both clinical care and policy—helping to ensure Veterans receive the attention and support they deserve.”
The overall research suggests that a growing number of military service personnel in Southwest Asia and Afghanistan may be affected by chronic respiratory disease, due to an increased and long-term exposure to airborne hazards. This type of evidence has influenced U.S. policy, including the PACT Act, which gives Veterans health care and benefits for being exposed to toxic substances.
Overall, the research highlights the continued need for research involving veterans who have been exposed and impacted by long-term negative healthcare effects due to service over long periods of time.
Chrissy Newton is a PR professional and the founder of VOCAB Communications. She currently appears on The Discovery Channel and Max and hosts the Rebelliously Curious podcast, which can be found on YouTube and on all audio podcast streaming platforms. Follow her on X: @ChrissyNewton, Instagram: @BeingChrissyNewton, and chrissynewton.com.