The use of open-air burn pits was a common method of large-scale waste disposal at military bases outside the continental United States, particularly during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. These pits, where materials were often burned using jet fuel, produced massive plumes of toxic smoke over deployed personnel. Migraines are severe, recurring headaches characterized by throbbing pain, sensitivity to light and sound, and sometimes nausea or vomiting. A significant public health concern has emerged regarding whether the chronic inhalation of burn pit smoke contaminants could be connected to the development of new-onset or worsening migraines in exposed service members.
The Pollutants Found in Burn Pit Smoke
Military burn pits were used to dispose of a wide variety of materials, including plastics, rubber, tires, petroleum products, chemicals, human and medical waste, and munitions. The incomplete combustion of this complex mixture released a toxic cocktail of airborne substances.
One concerning component is particulate matter (PM), specifically fine particles known as PM 2.5, which are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. The smoke also contained high concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are known irritants and neurotoxicants. Dioxins, highly toxic compounds formed during the burning of materials like plastics, were also detected. The presence of these agents, often accelerated by the use of jet fuel like JP-8, created an air quality profile significantly worse than typical urban pollution.
How Inhaled Contaminants May Trigger Migraines
Exposure to the toxic smoke from burn pits is hypothesized to trigger migraines through several biological and neurological pathways. The initial irritation of the airways by particulate matter and chemical gases can provoke a systemic inflammatory response. This inflammation, characterized by the release of pro-inflammatory molecules, can travel through the bloodstream and potentially disrupt the blood-brain barrier.
Once inflammatory signals or neurotoxic agents bypass this barrier, they can sensitize pain pathways within the central nervous system. Airborne irritants are known to activate the trigeminal nerve system, the primary sensory pathway for the face and head that plays a central role in migraine pathophysiology. Activation of this system leads to the release of pain-related neuropeptides, such as CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide), which mediate the throbbing pain associated with a migraine attack.
Inhalation of certain contaminants may also induce oxidative stress, an imbalance between free radicals and the body’s ability to counteract their harmful effects. Oxidative stress can damage cells and tissues, including those in the brain, contributing to neuronal excitability and changes in cerebral blood flow regulation that are hallmarks of migraine. The direct odors from the burn pits are also implicated as potential triggers for new-onset migraines. The neurological effects of these contaminants, possibly combined with deployment-related factors like stress, may synergistically increase the risk for developing chronic headache disorders.
Research Evidence and Official Health Registry Status
Clinical and epidemiological research has provided evidence linking burn pit exposure to an increased risk of headache disorders and migraines. A large-scale retrospective cohort study, utilizing data from nearly 250,000 veterans, found a dose-dependent relationship between exposure and the development of new-onset headaches. Veterans with the highest cumulative exposure, such as those with burn pit duties, had significantly greater odds of a medically diagnosed migraine compared to those who were not exposed. The highest exposure group showed a 60% increased likelihood of being diagnosed with migraine.
The U.S. government has officially acknowledged the health concerns associated with these airborne hazards. In 2014, the Department of Veterans Affairs established the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry (AH&OBP Registry) to systematically collect data on the health of exposed service members and veterans. This voluntary database aids in research to better understand the long-term health consequences of the exposure.
More recently, the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 cemented the official recognition of this health link. The PACT Act mandates comprehensive health evaluations for all veterans to identify environmental exposures and specifically includes provisions for burn pit exposure. This legislation expands healthcare and benefits for conditions related to air quality exposure. The research demonstrating the association between burn pits and migraines utilizes data collected through mechanisms like the AH&OBP Registry, reinforcing this connection as a recognized health consequence.