Other Heavy Metals
Industrial Solvents
Heavy metals are used in a variety of military tasks, including maintenance of aircraft, vehicles, munitions, weapons, and facilities. These metals are also used in combat arms training, welding, and soldering.
Health effects of exposure to heavy metals
Exposure to heavy metals may impact your health in a variety of ways, depending on the specific metal, concentration (amount), length of exposure, and how it enters the body.
- Inhaled particles: These may irritate the mouth, throat, and lungs and, if the concentration is high enough, can cause lung damage. Long-term exposure to high concentrations of some metals may increase the risk of certain cancers.
- Skin contact: This may cause skin irritation, rash, or acne.
- Ingestion: Although rare, excessive consumption of contaminated food or water can damage the digestive system and other organs (like the liver and kidneys).
Specific heavy metals
For information on specific metals, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) provides the following fact sheets:
Health concerns?
If you are concerned about health problems associated with exposure to metals during your military service, talk to your health care provider, or contact your local VA Environmental Health Coordinator or VET-HOME.
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
VA encourages Veterans who believe they may have an exposure-related health concern relevant to metals used during military service to file a claim for disability compensation. VA decides these claims on a case-by-case basis. File a claim online.
Learn more about VA benefits.
