Invisible Battles: Military Toxic Exposures and Health Provider Roles
Photo courtesy of U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs
The intersection of military service and environmental exposures has become an increasingly critical area of concern. Environmental factors affect the health and well-being of military personnel in complex and multifaceted ways, and ill and injured military veterans may find their high aspirations undermined by mental and physical ailments that significantly affect their quality of life.
This is the case for several of my family and friends, including my uncle, a veteran from the era of Desert Shield/Desert Storm, who has suffered for years because of the effects of environmental and other exposures while in the military.
A direct strike against health and wellness.
Many veterans say that they had a picture-perfect bill of health before exposure to environmental hazards during military service. Here is a glance at some of the exposures that service members faced in recent decades while in a garrison or on deployments to conflict zones.
Exposures and health impacts on service members:
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- Chemical/biological exposures such as Agent Orange, depleted uranium, and other battlefield contaminants. These exposures have been linked to cancer, respiratory diseases, neurological disorders, or reproductive issues.
- Radiation exposure such as ionizing radiation, especially for those involved in nuclear operations […]
