Lung problems are common among deployed military personnel, and new research suggests that inhaling tiny particles of dust may be to blame.
Scientists have long suspected that dust exposure might be linked to lung problems in deployed military personnel, but this is the first study to actually show evidence of dust retention in the lungs.
The study, published in the journal Thorax, looked at data from over 1,700 soldiers who were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan between 2001 and 2011. Chest CT scans were taken before and after deployment, and researchers found that 31 percent of soldiers showed increased levels of dust in their lungs after deployment.
This is concerning because dust particles can cause inflammation and damage to the lungs. Inhaling dust has been linked to a number of respiratory problems, including asthma, bronchitis, and even cancer.
The findings suggest that deployed military personnel are at risk for lung problems, even years after they return from deployment. This is yet another reminder of the need for better safety measures to protect troops from the dangers of dust exposure.
A new study has found that previously deployed military personnel show retained dust in their lungs. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, examined the lungs of 22 military personnel who had been deployed to either Iraq or Afghanistan. The findings, published in the journal BMC Pulmonary Medicine, showed that the dust particles in the lungs of the participants were larger and more numerous than in a control group of non-deployed individuals.
The study’s lead author, Dr. John S. Leddy, commented on the findings, saying, “This is the first study to our knowledge that has looked at the long-term effects of exposure to environmental dust on the lungs of military personnel.” He added that the findings “support the need for more research on the health effects of exposure to environmental dust, particularly in military populations.”
The findings of this study are concerning, as they suggest that exposure to environmental dust can have long-term effects on the lungs. This is an important issue that warrants further investigation, particularly in light of the fact that military personnel are often exposed to dust during deployment.
