In accordance with the 2022 Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT Act), the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has published data for its Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry (AHOBPR).
The data shows registry participants in:
- All 50 states,
- American Samoa
- Guam
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Puerto Rico
- United States Virgin Islands
- Washington, D.C.
Veterans can self-volunteer to participate in the registry to help the VA understand possible links between service history and health risks.
The registry and this published data is another step toward providing veterans with the information they need to make important health decisions.
What Is the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry?
Originally launched in 2014, the registry now has more than 336,000 veteran participants in less than a decade.
The goal of the registry is to understand the long-term effects of various airborne hazards and burn pit exposures veterans experienced during their service. Eligible veteran participants submit their service history and current health conditions. As their health status changes, veterans can regularly update their questionnaires.
The registry is not a study or application for VA benefits. Instead, it is a voluntary data collection tool to help the VA analyze areas of potential service-related illnesses and diseases. Veterans interested in participating in the registry should contact the VA for eligibility requirements.
Understanding Veteran Health Risks
Veterans are at an increased risk of developing cancer due to hazardous exposures during their service. In fact, more than 1,000 veterans are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year, a rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure.
Airborne hazards and open burn pits have been linked to a number of health conditions including:
- Brain cancer
- Gastrointestinal cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Lung cancer
- Lymphoma
- Melanoma
- Pancreatic cancer
Early diagnosis of mesothelioma and other cancers is critical to improving life expectancy. The AHOBPR could provide even more veterans the chance of identifying hazardous exposures and obtaining early diagnoses for related health conditions.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma after military service, contact our team at Mesothelioma Veterans Center by calling (877) 450-8973. We can help you connect with a mesothelioma specialist or help you understand your legal options.
