Over the past several decades the U.S. Military used open burn pits to dispose of all types of substances ranging from human remains, human waste, jet fuel, plastics, and other toxic waste. Most would agree that our service men and women are some of the most highly trained and peek physically conditioned. However, many vets experienced devastating health outcomes including death from rare diseases and cancers that many believe are the result from exposure to toxic fumes.
Nearly 78 percent of claims connecting poor health and exposure to burn pits have been denied by the VA. Only 3,000 claims have been accepted, with some claims taking up to 25 years for approval. This of course is devastating for veterans who will die if not treated in a timely manner.
Social media and advocates like John Stewart and Kevin Hensley are working hard to increase awareness of the conditions and resources available to help veterans. But let’s be clear…… are veterans suffering from exposure to burn pits is not a secret and has been a cause for concern for decades. While many focus on the clinical aspect, we must also consider that many veterans lose their jobs, homes and life savings paying out of pocket medical expenses related to their illness. The economic, and mental wellness burden impact them as individuals as well as the systems and families they support.
What can you do?
- Follow the hashtag #BURNPITS360 and expand your knowledge about veterans’ health issues associated with burn pits.
- Share this post or copy and paste the VA Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry information with veterans in your networks so they are aware of the problem and options.
Remember we are #better2gether