Soldiers who served in Iraq or Afghanistan complain of lingering coughs, shortness of breath, dizziness and other symptoms. Now, scientists say troops who served in the Middle East have higher rates of respiratory problems compared to those who served elsewhere. WSJ's Shirley Wang reports.
Troops in Mideast Face Breathing Ills -- Wall Street Journal
Burn Pits a Possible Factor as Data Show Higher Rate of Respiratory Woes Among Veterans of Afghanistan, Iraq.
Veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have a higher rate of debilitating respiratory illness than those deployed elsewhere, according to a new study that bolsters concerns among some medical professionals and members of Congress about the potential harm to troops from toxic chemicals and dust in the Middle East.
Read more ....
Update #1: US Troops in Mideast Have More Respiratory Ills, Study Shows -- FOX News
Update #2: Dust in Iraq/Afghanistan could be sickening U.S. soldiers -- NBC
My Comment: I suspect that this health problem is just the tip of the iceberg. Long term health effects will need to be studied and chronicled. Additional steps must also be implemented to protect the health of our soldiers .... i.e. providing masks when starting fires in pits, what can be burned in these pits, and limiting contact with dust by positioning bases in places that would limit such a problem.
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