Neuroinflammation and Brain Health Risks in Veterans Exposed to Burn Pit Toxins

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences Vol. 25; no. 18; p. 9759
• Main Authors: Brooks, Athena W, Sandri, Brian J, Nixon, Joshua P, Nurkiewicz, Timothy R, Barach, Paul, Trembley, Janeen H, Butterick, Tammy A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 10.09.2024; MDPI
• Subjects: Air Pollutants - adverse effects; Air pollution; Air Pollution - adverse effects; Blood vessels; Brain - drug effects; Brain - metabolism; Brain research; brain–lung axis; burn pit toxins; Cell adhesion & migration; Cytokines; Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; Health aspects; Health risk assessment; Health risks; Heavy metals; Humans; Inflammation; Literature reviews; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Mental disorders; Mental health; Metals, Heavy - adverse effects; Metals, Heavy - toxicity; Nanoparticles; Nervous system diseases; Neurodegeneration; neurodegenerative disease; neuroinflammation; Neuroinflammatory Diseases - etiology; Neurons; Neurotoxicity; Occupational Exposure - adverse effects; Open Waste Burning; Outdoor air quality; Oxidative stress; Particulate Matter - adverse effects; Permeability; Pollutants; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Refuse and refuse disposal; Review; Toxins; Veterans; VOCs; Volatile organic compounds; Volatile Organic Compounds - adverse effects; Minnesota; neurodegenerative disease; Veterans; neuroinflammation; mental health disorders; brain–lung axis; air pollution; occupational health; burn pit toxins
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms25189759

Military burn pits, used for waste disposal in combat zones, involve the open-air burning of waste materials, including plastics, metals, chemicals, and medical waste. The pits release a complex mixture of occupational toxic substances, including particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), heavy metals, dioxins, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Air pollution significantly impacts brain health through mechanisms involving neuroinflammation. Pollutants penetrate the respiratory system, enter the bloodstream, and cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), triggering inflammatory responses in the central nervous system (CNS). Chronic environmental exposures result in sustained inflammation, oxidative stress, and neuronal damage, contributing to neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive impairment. Veterans exposed to burn pit toxins are particularly at risk, reporting higher rates of respiratory issues, neurological conditions, cognitive impairments, and mental health disorders. Studies demonstrate that Veterans exposed to these toxins have higher rates of neuroinflammatory markers, accelerated cognitive decline, and increased risks of neurodegenerative diseases. This narrative review synthesizes the research linking airborne pollutants such as PM, VOCs, and heavy metals to neuroinflammatory processes and cognitive effects. There is a need for targeted interventions to mitigate the harmful and escalating effects of environmental air pollution exposures on the CNS, improving public health outcomes for vulnerable populations, especially for Veterans exposed to military burn pit toxins.