Burn pits are massive open-air waste disposal sites used extensively by the military in combat zones. Specifically, from 2001 to 2011 in Iraq and Afghanistan, these giant outdoor incinerators were used to burn everything from plastics and medical waste to chemicals, batteries, ammunition, and office equipment, which resulted in the release of dangerous cocktails of carcinogens and toxic chemicals into the air that service members breathed daily. The Department of Defense estimates that 3.5 million troops were exposed to this toxic smoke during recent wars, making burn pit exposure one of the most widespread environmental hazards faced by military personnel.

While outcomes to exposure to these burn pits involving respiratory and cancer risks have previously been exposed, groundbreaking research released in July 2025 has revealed alarming long-term neurological consequences. A study of 440,000 veterans, conducted by the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, and Department of Veterans Affairs found that troops exposed to burn pit smoke had dramatically higher rates of brain injuries and psychological trauma. Veterans who lived near burn pits for at least 129 days were 27% more likely to experience severe stress symptoms and 37% more likely to suffer brain injuries compared to those at cleaner bases. Those with extended exposure of over 474 days showed 68% higher rates of severe stress and 124% increased likelihood of brain damage. More so, 90% of troops who died by suicide had served at bases with large burn pits for extended periods. The reason for these increases and terrible results appears to be exposure to toxic chemicals which disrupt brain function and neurotransmitters.

The military has responded with comprehensive reform measures. The Department of Defense has closed most burn pits and plans to eliminate all remaining sites. The 2022 PACT Act expanded healthcare and disability benefits for millions of veterans exposed to toxic environments, while 2025 H.R. 1, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, allocates $2 billion to defense health programs. These efforts represent crucial progress toward comprehensive care for veterans facing the invisible wounds of toxic exposure.