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About

Burn Pit Overview

During recent U.S. military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and surrounding regions, open-air burn pits were routinely used to dispose of a wide range of materials—including plastics, electronics, medical waste, fuels, and munitions. Combustion of these heterogeneous wastes produced complex mixtures of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins, furans, heavy metals, and fine particulate matter. Prolonged inhalation exposure to these emissions has raised growing concern about chronic multisystem health consequences among deployed Service Members and veterans.

Primary Focus

Objectives

The primary objective of Project PHOENIX is to describe and quantify the molecular, genomic, cellular, and functional alterations in peripheral blood of former U.S. Service Members with prior burn-pit exposure and to compare these signatures with those of matched unexposed controls.

Blood samples will be used to understand:

Immune and molecular responses

Genomic and cellular patterns

Possible signatures linked to burn pit or airborne hazard exposure

Steps

Our Process

1. Initial Contact

Complete brief eligibility questionnaire
Provide contact information

2. Health History

Complete informed consent
Complete entire health history electronic form

3. Telehealth Appointment

Verify data entered into the questionnaire
Additional assessment with team member

4. Blood Draw *

Mobile phlebotomy completed in your home
Blood obtained for baseline labs and research testing

5. Follow Up

May be contacted annually by investigator for health updates

*compensation will be received after blood draw completion

Qualifying

Participant Qualifications

Veterans with a history of military deployment and exposure to burn pits
Ages 18 and over
Be willing to undergo blood draw
Complete a telehealth history

Supporting Burn pit Victims