Introduction
Burn pits were extensively used during US military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan to dispose of waste materials. These open-air combustion sites released a complex mix of pollutants, raising concerns about their potential health effects. Among the suspected long-term outcomes is sleep apnea, a chronic condition marked by disrupted breathing during sleep.
This retrospective cohort study examined whether exposure to burn pit smoke is associated with an increased risk of being diagnosed with sleep apnea among US Veterans.
Methods
The study population included active VA users who had served in either Iraq or Afghanistan from 2001 to 2015. Researchers used electronic health records (EHRs) to track diagnoses of sleep apnea and linked them to estimated exposure levels based on Veterans’ deployment locations and timeframes. Veterans were categorized into three exposure groups: high, moderate, and low/none.
Key Findings
- High Exposure Risk: Veterans in the high-exposure group had a 24% increased risk of receiving a sleep apnea diagnosis compared to those with no or low exposure.
- Moderate Exposure: The moderate-exposure group also had a modest but statistically significant increase in risk.
- Independent Factor: Risk remained elevated after adjusting for body mass index (BMI), smoking status, and preexisting health conditions, suggesting an independent effect of burn pit exposure.
- Specific Locations: Veterans exposed at Joint Base Balad—a site with high burn pit activity—showed particularly elevated risk.
Conclusion
These findings support growing evidence that exposure to airborne pollutants from burn pits may contribute to the development of sleep apnea. Although causality cannot be firmly established, the results highlight the need for ongoing monitoring of veterans exposed to environmental hazards during deployment. Enhanced screening and early intervention strategies could improve long-term outcomes for affected veterans.
References
Szema AM, Salihi W, Savary K, et al. Burn Pit Smoke Exposure and Sleep Apnea Risk Among US Veterans: A Retrospective Study. National Library of Medicine, PubMed Central. Available here.