The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced the launch of the redesigned Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, also known as the Burn Pit Research Registry. This database aims to improve understanding, research, and treatment of health issues affecting Veterans exposed to airborne hazards and burn pits during military service.
According to the VA, addressing health challenges related to toxic exposure is a priority for both the department and the Biden-Harris Administration. The updated registry includes data from more than 4.7 million Veterans and service members based on Department of Defense records.
"The Burn Pit Registry is fueling groundbreaking research and enabling VA’s ability to identify and proactively address health challenges that toxic-exposed Veterans face at a population level," stated Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal, M.D. He emphasized that while individual participation in the registry does not affect personal healthcare or benefits, it serves as a catalyst for advancing treatments for the broader Veteran population.
Department of Defense Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Lester Martinez-Lopez, M.D., added, "This tool is a significant improvement in making data available in a way that better serves all those who were exposed to burn pits and other hazards."
Veterans can opt out of the registry by completing an online form. For those seeking screening or benefits related to toxic exposures, additional resources are available at VA.gov/PACT or by calling 1-800-MYVA411.
The redesigned registry incorporates extensive feedback from Veterans and expands participation criteria. It automatically includes participants who served in specific military campaigns or theaters of operations between designated time frames.
Data included in the registry covers deployment locations, military personnel information, and demographics such as gender, race, and ethnicity. No medical information will be stored. Access to this data will be limited to select VA epidemiologists, researchers, and institutional review board-approved researchers to conduct long-term studies that inform policy decisions related to presumptive conditions.
Further details can be found at www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/registry.asp.
