Sand, Dust and Particulates
Veterans who were deployed to the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and other dusty environments were often exposed to sand, dust, pollution and other airborne particles.
Larger particles such as sand may become trapped in the nose and throat but can be expelled by coughing or sneezing.
Very small, fine particles (particulates) may cause more serious health problems because they can be inhaled deep into the lungs and airways. These extremely small particles and liquid droplets can include acids, chemicals, metals, soil or dust.
Join the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry to create a snapshot of your health and help us learn more about potential health effects. Check your eligibility and sign up through an online questionnaire.
Health concerns?
If you are concerned about your exposure to sand, dust, or particulates, 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 health care is available to all combat Veterans for conditions possibly related to service for five years after discharge. Not enrolled in the VA health care system? Apply online.
Particulate matter pollution in Iraq and Afghanistan
Although particulate matter (PM) emissions from natural and man-made sources are found worldwide, PM levels in Southwest Asia are naturally higher. Primary sources of PM in Southwest Asia include dust storms, vehicle exhaust, construction sites, farming, and emissions from local industries.
The use of burn pits for waste management increased the naturally high concentrations of PM in Iraq and Afghanistan. Air sampling performed at Joint Base Balad, Iraq (the large Balad burn pit operated there and was shut down in 2009) detected increased particulate matter and infrequently some chemicals, which may have been due to the industry in Iraq.
Naval Air Facility in Atsugi, Japan
From 1985 to 2001, personnel at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi in Atsugi, Japan were exposed to environmental contaminants from an off-base waste incinerator. Learn more about the Atsugi waste incinerator chemical emissions and the investigation of health effects. Atsugi, Japan is not included in the list of eligible locations for the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry.
Health effects of sand, dust and PM exposure
Most studies relate particulate matter (PM) exposure data to respiratory and cardiopulmonary health effects in specific, susceptible groups such as young children, the elderly, and people with existing asthma or cardiopulmonary disease.
Many variables influence the nature and probability of health problems:
- Size of the PM (Smaller particles are considered more harmful because of easier passage through the nose and throat to enter the lungs.)
- Chemical make-up of the PM
- Concentration levels
- Duration of exposure
- Human factors including age, health status, existing medical conditions, and genetics
Symptoms of sand, dust and particulate exposure include irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. Other symptoms include cold or flu-like symptoms such as cough, runny nose, and shortness of breath. Learn more from the Department of Defense. (83 KB, PDF)
VA continues to study the health of deployed Veterans.
Compensation benefits for health problems
Veterans may file a claim for disability compensation for health problems they believe are related to sand, dust and particulate exposure during military service. File a claim online.
Read about presumptive conditions for sand, dust, and particulate exposure.
Learn more about VA benefits.
Particulate Matter
Tiny airborne matter that can cause respiratory and other health problems.
Veterans who were deployed to the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and similar environments were often exposed to sand, dust, pollution and other airborne particles. PM levels in these locations are naturally higher, and primary sources in this region include dust storms, vehicle exhaust, construction sites, farming, and emissions from local industries.
Southwest Asia, South-Central Asia, East Asia, Southeastern Europe
Gulf War, Operation Joint Endeavor (OJE), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) / Operation New Dawn (OND)
Larger particles such as sand may become trapped in the nose and throat but can be expelled by coughing or sneezing.
Very small, fine particles (particulates) may cause more serious health problems because they can be inhaled deep into the lungs and airways. These extremely small particles and liquid droplets can include acids, chemicals, metals, soil or dust.
Most studies relate particulate matter (PM) exposure data to respiratory and cardiopulmonary health effects in specific, susceptible groups such as young children, the elderly, and people with existing asthma or cardiopulmonary disease. Many variables influence the nature and probability of health problems:
- Size of the PM
- Chemical make-up of the PM
- Concentration levels
- Duration of exposure
- Human factors including age, health status, existing medical conditions, and genetics
Health effects may include: asthma, rhinitis, sinusitis, and several rare respiratory cancers.
Common Symptoms: irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. Other symptoms include cold or flu-like symptoms such as cough, runny nose, and shortness of breath.
- Sand, Dust and Particulates webpage
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/sand-dust-particulates/index.asp
- Waste Incinerator in Atsugi, Japan webpage
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/sand-dust-particulates/atsugi.asp
- APHC - Particulate Matter Fact Sheet
- https://phc.amedd.army.mil/PHC%20Resource%20Library/Particulate_Matter_Factsheet_64-009-0414.pdf
- NASEM - Gulf War and Health: Update of Health Effects of Serving in the Gulf War (2016)
- https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/21840/gulf-war-and-health-volume-10-update-of-health-effects
- NASEM- Long-Term Health Consequences of Exposure to Burn Pits in Iraq and Afghanistan (2011)
- https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13209/long-term-health-consequences-of-exposure-to-burn-pits-in-iraq-and-afghanistan
- NASEM - Assessment of the Department of Veterans Affairs Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry (2017)
- https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/23677/chapter/1
- NASEM - Respiratory Health Effects of Airborne Hazards Exposures in the Southwest Asia Theater of Military Operations (2020)
- https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/25837/respiratory-health-effects-of-airborne-hazards-exposures-in-the-southwest-asia-theater-of-military-operations
Get a Registry Evaluation
- Environmental Health Coordinator
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp
Contact your local https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.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.
Particulate Matter Presumption
VA presumes that asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis are related to exposure to particulate matter and provides disability benefits.
This applies to Veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations beginning August 2, 1990, to the present, or Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Syria, or Djibouti beginning September 19, 2001, to the present, and whose conditions came about within 10 years of military service.
1990 2100 Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) / Operation New Dawn (OND) Southwest Asia, South-Central Asia
Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry
- https://veteran.mobilehealth.va.gov/AHBurnPitRegistry/
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
