Fig. 2

Conceptual diagram of military burn pit exposure health effects. PM and toxins are generated by incomplete combustion in burn pits. A portion of PM becomes airborne and is inhaled by personnel in the area. Inhaled PM enters the lungs where accumulation occurs coincident with activation of systemic inflammatory response. Exposure to airborne toxicants from burn pits can lead to the bioaccumulation of PM and heavy metals in the body. These toxic substances accumulate over time in various organs and tissues, creating a reservoir of harmful compounds with prolonged adverse effects [15]. Bioaccumulation contributes to systemic inflammation, a chronic immune response marked by elevated inflammatory cytokines that can affect multiple organ systems. Systemic inflammation has been identified as a key factor in the development of DRRDs, such as bronchial asthma, constrictive bronchiolitis, and interstitial lung disease. Persistent inflammation can damage lung tissues, promote fibrosis, and impair respiratory function. Moreover, chronic systemic inflammation, combined with carcinogenic substances like PAHs, can increase the risk of lung cancer by causing genetic mutations, promoting cellular proliferation, and inhibiting apoptosis [25]