The Morning Muster A Column For and By Veterans

Understanding Veterans’ Respiratory Health

In recent weeks, residents of Rockland County have experienced poor air quality and haze as the result of widespread wildfire smoke. For some people this might mean dealing with an annoying cough, watery eyes, or canceling outdoor plans and closing windows. But for many veterans, these air quality issues resonate far more deeply, acting as a stark reminder of the hazardous environments we navigated throughout our time in service. While poor air quality might be a temporary nuisance for some, respiratory issues can be a lifelong reminder of time in service for veterans.

A History of Respiratory Hazards Across Generations

Every generation of service members has faced airborne hazards that are often accompanied by invisible consequences that can take decades to fully manifest.

Naval Veterans: Asbestos

Veterans who have served on Navy ships were routinely exposed to heavy concentrations of asbestos fiber through boiler rooms, engine compartments and pipe installations. This exposure has been shown to lead to lung damage, pleural disease, or mesothelioma.

Domestic Bases: Occupational Hazards and Mold Exposure

Toxic air is not just a hazard for overseas combat zones. It has been present on our home military bases throughout history. Service members across generations working in aircraft maintenance, radar sites , vehicle bays, and industrial shop facilities were routinely exposed to hazardous substances including beryllium, volatile organic compounds, and paint fumes. Additionally, substandard military housing and barracks have caused or worsened chronic respiratory issues for service members and their families long before setting foot on deployment.

Post 9/11 / Middle East Deployments: Burn Pits and Toxic Sand and Dust

Service members deployed across Southwest Asia lived and worked alongside open air burn pits that engulfed everything, including medical waste and jet fuel.  Additionally, service members stationed in the Middle East were exposed daily to extremely fine geological dust and sand particles, which were often contaminated with heavy metals, industrial pollutants, and bacteria. These issues caused desert lung and minor irritation and evolved into chronic, worsening sinus issues, severe allergies, rhinitis, sinusitis and debilitating lung conditions.

What the Research Shows: The Delayed Effect of Service

The long term trajectory of veteran respiratory health is very well documented. Research conducted by the RAND Corporation explores a concerning pattern. Military personnel frequently enter service in their 20s at peak physical condition, which enables them to absorb environmental insults early with little immediate disruption. However, as veterans reach their 50s and beyond, the cumulative impact of these exposures accelerates. The research shows veterans experience significantly higher rates of chronic respiratory illness, rapid lung function decline, and daily activity limitations compared to their civilian counterparts of the same age. This trajectory shows that the breathing issues developed are not just normal aging, rather they are delayed indications of toxic military exposure.

Lessons from Agent Orange: Toxic Exposure Paradox

It is common amongst veterans to be frustrated with what the VA officially recognizes. For example, Agent Orange and the tactical herbicide in Vietnam is infamous for causing a variety of cancers, including respiratory cancers, but non-cancerous chronic respiratory issues were not always automatically linked. It took over half a century for the government to fully acknowledge and expand benefits for the health impacts of Agent Orange exposure. As a veteran, it is important to understand that just because a medical condition is not currently listed as an official or presumptive service connected illness does not mean that your military service did not cause it.

PACT Act and Moving Forward

With the PACT Act being passed in recent years, the VA now recognizes dozens of respiratory conditions as presumptive conditions tied directly to toxic burn pits and herbicide exposures. If you are a veteran in Rockland dealing with persistent respiratory issues, worsening allergies, sinus troubles, or unexplained breathing problems, do not ignore it and do not assume it is not service related. Start taking proactive steps today. Track your symptoms by keeping a simple log of when you experience shortness of breath, coughing fits or increased reliance on medications. Schedule a VA toxic exposure screen free for Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare. Ensure you gather deployment records, DD-214s or ship logs to verify your service.