Effects of Exposure to Documented Open-Air Burn Pits on Respiratory Health Among Deployers of the Millennium Cohort Study.

摘要

Background A number of pollutants including dioxins, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and respirable particulate matter may be produced from burning solid waste in open pits. Some of these pollutants are well- recognized carcinogens, while others are known to irritate the respiratory system causing acute cough or shortness of breath, pneumonia, and chronic bronchitis, especially when exposures are recurring and at relevant concentrations. Methods Using multivariable logistic regression, newly-reported chronic bronchitis or emphysema, newly-reported asthma, and selfreported respiratory symptoms and possible burn pit exposure within 2, 3, or 5 miles were examined among Army and Air Force deployers surveyed in 2004-06 and 2007- 08 (n = 22,844). Results Burn pit exposure within 3 or 5 miles was not associated with respiratory outcomes after statistical adjustment. Increased symptom reporting was observed among Air Force deployers located within 2 miles of Joint Base Balad, however, this finding was marginally significant with no evidence of trend. Conclusions In general, these findings do not support an elevated risk for respiratory outcomes among personnel deployed within proximity of documented burn pits in Iraq.