{"id":31695,"date":"2024-04-04T15:52:10","date_gmt":"2024-04-04T15:52:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/uncategorized\/2024\/04\/04\/deployed-troops-inhaled-toxic-air-even-while-off-duty-study-finds\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T16:05:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T16:05:13","slug":"deployed-troops-inhaled-toxic-air-even-while-off-duty-study-finds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/disaster\/2024\/04\/04\/deployed-troops-inhaled-toxic-air-even-while-off-duty-study-finds\/","title":{"rendered":"Deployed troops inhaled toxic air even while off-duty, study finds"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Newly released research warns that troops who served overseas since 2001 faced significant levels of airborne contaminants<\/a> both while on duty or at rest, underscoring the potential long-term health risks facing all individuals who deployed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The research, conducted by the National Jewish Health and the United States Geological Survey, found high levels of silica and other particulate matter in the lungs of troops who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Qatar, Kuwait and other Southwest Asian locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The findings pointed to air contamination, not just from burn pits used to dispose of military waste<\/a> but also sandstorms and vehicle exhaust fumes, all of which created toxic conditions regardless of the missions being performed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMilitary operations generate airborne hazards, not just at work but also during leisure activities and sleep, due to the environmental realities of many deployment locations,\u201d researchers wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\t