The registry is a database of health information voluntarily provided by service members and veterans that will help the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) collect, analyze, and publish data on health conditions that may be related to environmental exposures experienced during deployment. The Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry consists of an online questionnaire and a recommended medical evaluation.

In June 2014, Public Law 112-260, as described in the Federal Register, mandated VA create an Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry. The requirement was established to help put data to work for service members and veterans through research about potential health effects of burn pit exposure and other airborne hazards. The Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry allows eligible veterans and service members to document environmental exposures, such as smoke from burn pits, oil-well fires, or pollution during deployment, as well as record health concerns, through an online questionnaire. Information reported by participants is maintained in a secure database and is used to inform future research studies.

The registry is completely voluntary and does not affect access to VA health care or compensation benefits. Upon completion of the questionnaire, registry participants are highly encouraged to schedule a free medical evaluation to review their responses and health concerns with a medical provider. The registry helps participants proactively identify health concerns, while helping researchers to study the health effects of exposure to burn pits and other airborne hazards.

Airborne hazards can be any number of airborne environmental contaminants that may cause short- and long-term health effects to exposed individuals. Examples of airborne hazards include burn pit smoke, oil well fire smoke, sand, dust, and particulate matter.

DOD defines an open burn pit as an area of land used for the open-air combustion of trash and other solid waste products. The use of open burn pits, or open-air burn pits, was a common waste disposal practice at military sites outside of the U.S. such as in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry consists of an online questionnaire and a recommended medical evaluation. You must have a Premium DS Logon (Defense Self-service Logon) Level 2 account to sign in to the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry. Once you log in, you will need to verify your deployment information is correct before you proceed to the questionnaire. Upon completion, click "Submit," then save and print the questionnaire for your records. Service members are encouraged to contact their local military hospital or clinic for a free medical evaluation to discuss exposures and health concerns with a provider.

A DS Logon is a secure ID that is used by DOD and VA to allow individuals access to several websites with one user name and password. Service members must have a Premium DS Logon Level 2 account before attempting to register. You can obtain, update, or recover a DS Logon at the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) Identity Management website. Once you have your DS Logon information, log in and complete the registry questionnaire. If you have trouble with your DS Logon or have questions regarding the process for obtaining a DS Logon, visit the DMDC Identity Management FAQ page.

To receive account assistance, you can also call the DMDC Support Center at 1-800-477-8227, select option 2, and then select option 2 again. For technical support, call the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry Help Desk from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time at 1-877-470-5947. The Help Desk can assist with any technical issue you may be having with this application.

If eligible, you can document exposures and proactively identify health concerns, create a "snapshot" of your health to guide discussions with your health care provider, help VA and DOD better understand the long-term effects of airborne hazard exposures, and improve programs and health care for service members and veterans.

Yes. The Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry was developed by VA for both service members and veterans. While the registry is owned and managed by VA, DOD works closely with VA to support service member participation and efforts in ongoing exposure research and policy.