Since 2001, over 2 million United States military men and women
have deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation
Enduring Freedom. In the past few years, evidence has emerged
that U.S. military personnel who have deployed to Iraq and
Afghanistan may be at increased risk for developing lung
symptoms and, in some cases, disabling chronic lung diseases
including asthma and constrictive bronchiolitis. The causes of
their lung diseases remain unknown, but may be related to
exposure to dangerous chemicals and inhalation of small
fragments of substances in the Southwest Asia environment.
Military personnel deployed in Southwest Asia are exposed to
emissions from: - open-air burn pits – chemicals, metals,
combustion products - desert dust and sand storms - industrial
fires and emissions - vehicular exhaust - IED blasts -
temperature and humidity extremes in the desert climate.
Individual factors (such as smoking status) may also contribute
to lung disease risk. Types of Possible Deployment-Related Lung