Sulfur Fire at Mishraq State Sulfur Mine
A fire that ignited in June 2003 at the Mishraq State Sulfur Mine Plant near Mosul, Iraq burned for almost a month. Field samples of air in the vicinity of the fire detected sulfur dioxide at levels immediately dangerous to health and life. Hydrogen sulfide also was released. Exposure varied by wind and fire conditions over time.
Firefighters were considered the most exposed. Firefighters were primarily from the 101st Airborne Division – 52nd Engineer Battalion, 326th Engineer Battalion, and the 887th Engineer Battalion.
A group of soldiers from Fort Campbell, KY who were stationed in Iraq, most of whom had prolonged exposure to sulfur dioxide during the Mishraq Sulfur Mine fire, were evaluated for pulmonary symptoms in 2007. Many of these Servicemembers reported a significant change in their ability to run two miles on the Army Physical Fitness Test.
Health effects from sulfur dioxide exposure
Servicemembers involved with fighting this fire experienced irritation, minor burns, and blood-tinged nasal mucous.
Both sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide are gases that can produce irritation and reddening of the nose and throat, eye irritation, and coughing. At high levels, these gases can burn the skin and cause severe airway obstruction, hypoxia (inadequate supply of oxygen to the body) and pulmonary edema (fluid accumulation in the lungs).
Short-term high-level exposure has been associated with a rare condition of lung damage known as constrictive bronchiolitis and an asthma-like condition known as reactive airway dysfunction syndrome.
Health concerns?
If you are concerned about exposures during the Mishraq Sulfur Mine fire, talk to your health care provider or contact your local VA Environmental Health Coordinator to help you get more information from a health care provider.
VA offers a variety of health care benefits to eligible Veterans. Not enrolled in the VA health care system? Find out if you qualify for VA health care.
Compensation benefits for health problems
Veterans may file a claim for disability compensation for health problems they believe are related to exposures during the Mishraq Sulfur Mine fire. VA decides these claims on a case-by-case basis. File a claim online.
Learn more about VA benefits.
Sulfur Fire
A fire at a sulfur mine plant released harmful chemicals into the air.
The fire was ignited at the Mishraq State Sulfur Mine Plant near Mosul, Iraq and burned for almost a month.
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) / Operation New Dawn (OND)
Service members involved with fighting this fire experienced irritation, minor burns, and blood-tinged nasal mucous.
Both sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, which were released into the air as a result of the fire, are gases that can produce irritation and reddening of the nose and throat, eye irritation, and coughing. At high levels, these gases can burn the skin and cause severe airway obstruction, hypoxia (inadequate supply of oxygen to the body) and pulmonary edema (fluid accumulation in the lungs).
Short-term high-level exposure has been associated with a rare condition of lung damage known as constrictive bronchiolitis and an asthma-like condition known as reactive airway dysfunction syndrome.
- VA Mishraq Sulfur Mine Fire webpage
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/mishraq-sulfur-fire/index.asp
Get a Registry Evaluation
- VA Environmental Health Coordinator
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp
- Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) / Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) / Operation New Dawn (OND) Team
- https://www.oefoif.va.gov/map.asp
Contact your local https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp, https://www.oefoif.va.gov/map.asp, or VA Primary Care Team about getting a registry evaluation.
WRIISC Link
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC)
- https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WARRELATEDILLNESS/referral/index.asp
For evaluation for difficult-to-diagnose conditions, contact your local https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WARRELATEDILLNESS/referral/index.asp.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
VA presumes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosed in all Veterans who had 90 days or more continuous active military service is related to their service.
1900 2100 1910 2110 All Conflicts Southwest Asia
Gulf War (Medically Unexplained Illnesses)
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/benefits/index.asp
Gulf War Veterans with the following presumptive illnesses do not need to prove a connection with their military service in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations if they appear by December 31, 2016 and are at least 10 percent disabling. They may be eligible for disability compensation if they have a service-connected condition and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. These conditions include:
Medically unexplained illnesses (popularly called 'Gulf War Syndrome')
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - a condition of long-term and severe fatigue that is not relieved by rest and is not directly caused by other conditions.
- Fibromyalgia - a condition characterized by widespread muscle pain. Other symptoms may include insomnia, morning stiffness, headache, and memory problems.
- Functional gastrointestinal disorders - a group of conditions marked by chronic or recurrent symptoms related to any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Examples include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia, and functional abdominal pain syndrome.
- Undiagnosed illnesses - symptoms may include but are not limited to: abnormal weight loss, fatigue, cardiovascular disease, muscle and joint pain, headache, menstrual disorders, neurological and psychological problems, skin conditions, respiratory disorders, and sleep disturbances
*These conditions are not necessarily associated with any specific exposure, but have been determined to be associated with service in Southwest Asia. The policy also provides compensation for certain infectious diseases.
*For more information, visit: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/benefits/index.asp
1900 2100 Gulf War, Operation Joint Endeavor (OJE), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Southwest Asia
Gulf War (Infectious Disease)
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/benefits/index.asp
Gulf War Veterans with the following presumptive illnesses do not need to prove a connection with their military service in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations. They may be eligible for disability compensation if they have a service-connected condition and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. These conditions include:
Infectious diseases are related to military service in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations during the first Gulf War starting August 2, 1990, through the conflict in Iraq and on or after September 19, 2001, in Afghanistan. Veterans must have the diseases within the time frames shown below and have a current disability as a result of that disease in order to receive disability compensation.
- Malaria - An infectious disease caused by a parasite transmitted by mosquitoes. Symptoms include chills, fever, and sweats. It must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year from the date of military separation or at a time when standard or accepted treatises indicate that the incubation period began during a qualifying period of military service.
- Brucellosis - A bacterial disease with symptoms such as profuse sweating and joint and muscle pain. The illness may be chronic and persist for years. It must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year from the date of military separation.
- Campylobacter Jejuni - A disease with symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fever. It must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year from the date of military separation.
- Coxiella Burnetii (Q Fever) - A bacterial disease with symptoms such as fever, severe headache, and gastrointestinal problems such as nausea and diarrhea. In chronic cases, the illness may cause inflammation of the heart. It must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year of the date of military separation.
- Mycobacterium Tuberculosis - An illness that primarily affects the lungs and causes symptoms such as chest pain, persistent cough (sometimes bloody), weight loss and fever.
- Nontyphoid Salmonella - A condition characterized by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year of the date of military separation.
- Shigella - A condition characterized by symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year of the date of military separation.
- Visceral Leishmaniasis - A parasitic disease characterized by symptoms such as fever, weight loss, enlargement of the spleen and liver, and anemia. The condition may be fatal if left untreated.
- West Nile Virus - A disease spread by mosquitoes characterized by symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain or weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms may range from mild to severe. It must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year from the date of military separation.
*These conditions are not necessarily associated with any specific exposure, but have been determined to be associated with service in Southwest Asia. The policy also provides compensation for certain infectious diseases.
*For more information, visit:
1990 2100 Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Southwest Asia, South-Central Asia
Case-by-Case Compensation
When no presumed service connection has been established by law, Veterans may file a claim for disability compensation for health problems they believe are related to their exposures during military service. VA decides these claims on a case-by-case basis.
1900 2100 All Conflicts All Locations
Healthcare - Basic Eligibility
If you served in the active military service and were separated under any condition other than dishonorable, you may qualify for VA health care benefits. Current and former members of the Reserves or National Guard who were called to active duty by a federal order and completed the full period for which they were called or ordered to active duty may be eligible for VA health benefits as well. Most Veterans who enlisted after September 7, 1980, or entered active duty after October 16, 1981, must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty in order to be eligible.
1900 2100 All Conflicts All Locations
Healthcare - Enhanced Eligibility
Certain Veterans may be afforded enhanced eligibility status when applying and enrolling in the VA health care system. Veterans who:
1900 2100 All Conflicts All Locations
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
When a Veteran of any period of service receives a valid diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), service connection may be granted if the illness is associated with an in-service stressful event.
1900 2100 All Conflicts All Locations
Gulf War Registry
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/benefits/registry-exam.asp
Veterans who served in the Gulf during the 1990-1991 Gulf War, Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn are eligible for the Gulf War Registry examination.
- For more information, visit: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/benefits/registry-exam.asp
1990 1991 2001 2100 Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Southwest Asia
Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry
- https://veteran.mobilehealth.va.gov/AHBurnPitRegistry/
- http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/action-plan.asp
Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry: VA's Office of Public Health has established a registry for individuals concerned about exposure to airborne hazards during recent deployments. To be eligible, you must be a Veteran or Servicemember who deployed to contingency operations in Southwest Asia at any time on or after August 2, 1990 (as defined in 38 CFR 3.317(e)(2)), or Afghanistan or Djibouti on or after September 11, 2001. These regions include the following countries, bodies of water, and the airspace above these locations:
- Iraq
- Afghanistan
- Kuwait
- Saudi Arabia
- Bahrain
- Djibouti
- Gulf of Aden
- Gulf of Oman
- Oman
- Qatar
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Waters of the Persian Gulf, Arzabian Sea, and Red Sea
The registry consists of a web-based self-assessment to be completed by the eligible individual, which can be found at: http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/action-plan.asp. Participants may also schedule an optional in-person clinical evaluation by a VA provider. Active Duty Servicemembers who would like a similar voluntary medical evaluation may contact your local military hospital or clinic and state that you would like an appointment specifically to address health concerns related to the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry exposures. Please note a medical evaluation is NOT required to be in the registry.
- For more information, visit: https://veteran.mobilehealth.va.gov/AHBurnPitRegistry/
1990 2100 Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Southwest Asia, South-Central Asia, Africa
