Garrison exposures and health concerns
Veterans may have concerns about health effects from garrison exposures, which are environmental exposures that may have been experienced while stationed on a military base.
Some examples of garrison exposure concerns that have recently been raised among Veterans are exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on military bases and exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
PFAS: PFAS are a large family of synthetic chemicals found in many manufactured products, including carpets, food packaging, and adhesives. Almost everyone has detectable levels of PFAS in their blood.
Since the 1970’s, military firefighters have used fire-fighting foams containing PFAS to fight fuel fires during training and emergency responses. This led to the contamination of ground water on several military bases, as well as in surrounding communities. There have been several recent actions to address the issue, including changes in DoD policies and procedures to discontinue the use of foams containing PFAS in training activities and efforts to develop new, fluorine-free alternatives.
Scientific and medical evidence on the health effects of PFAS are currently inconclusive, but research on these chemicals is ongoing. VA is partnering with other federal agencies to assess published information and new findings as they become available. Also, VA researchers are exploring opportunities to study the health of Veterans who may have been exposed either through their job duties (e.g., firefighters) or contaminated water. Read more about PFAS.
Camp Lejeune: Veterans who were stationed or lived at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 are eligible for health care and disability benefits due to possible exposure to VOCs (i.e., trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, vinyl chloride, and benzene) in the drinking water. This water contamination was a result of improper disposal of dry-cleaning waste and leaking underground storage tanks on the base.
Health Care: Veterans are eligible for health care for 15 conditions, including female infertility, hepatic steatosis, miscarriage, neurobehavioral effects, myelodysplastic syndromes, renal toxicity, scleroderma, and some cancers. Family members are eligible for health care funding assistance for these conditions.
Disability Benefits: VA has established presumptive service connection for Veterans, Reservists, and National Guard members with a diagnosis of adult leukemia, aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and Parkinson’s disease. Read more about Camp Lejeune.
Other potential garrison exposures have raised concern among Veterans. Please see “Potential Garrison Exposures” on the next page for more information. For specific exposures at select military bases or garrisons, please see “Exposures from Specific Garrisons” below.
VA consults with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on garrison exposure issues. The EPA’s mission is to protect human health and the environment. If you want to know more about possible garrison exposures on specific bases, visit EPA’s superfund web pages.
Potential Garrison Exposures
These exposures may have occurred in garrison or while deployed:
- Industrial Solvents
- CARC Paint
- PFAS - Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances
- Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
- Fuels (Petroleum, Oils, Lubricants)
- LORAN Radiation
- Asbestos
- Lead
- Military Occupational Exposure to Radiation
Exposures from Specific Garrisons
Below are known exposures that occurred at specific garrisons. Being stationed at one of these bases does not necessarily mean an exposure occurred. Exposure varies by timeframe and specific duties at the garrison.
