The American Lung Association testified today about urgent lung health issues facing military personnel and the Department of Defense.  H. James Gooden, Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Lung Association, appeared before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense to urge that action be taken quickly to combat tobacco use in the military and address the growing health threat posed by burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan resulting in sleep apnea,asthma,and other deadly diseases.  Gooden also spoke to the importance of restoring an important lung cancer research program.

Gooden told the Subcommittee of the clear and present threat caused by tobacco use in the military.  “The alarming use of tobacco in the military has severe consequences,” Gooden said. “It impacts troop readiness, impairs physical capacity, vision, and hearing, and increases the chance of physical injury and hospitalization.” 

Currently, the smoking rate for active duty military is 30.5 percent, with smoking rates highest among personnel ages 18 to 25 – especially among soldiers and Marines.  The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that more than 50 percent of all active duty personnel stationed in Iraq smoke.  

Gooden also spoke to the health threat posed by burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan, after reports of soldiers who were exposed to them are now returning home with lung illnesses including asthma, chronic bronchitis and sleep apnea. 

“The American Lung Association is deeply concerned by reports of the use of burn pits and the negative effects on breathing and  lung health on soldiers in both Iraq and Afghanistan,” Gooden testified. “Emissions from burning waste contain fine particulate matter, sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and various irritant gases such as nitrogen oxides that can scar the lungs.  Emissions also contain chemicals that are known or suspected to be carcinogens.  We urge the DoD to immediately find alternatives to this method of waste disposal,” Gooden testified.

About the American Lung Association:

 Now in its second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is “Fighting for Air” through research, education and advocacy. For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              1-800-LUNG-USA      end_of_the_skype_highlighting (1-800-586-4872 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              1-800-586-4872      end_of_the_skype_highlighting) or visit www.lungusa.org.

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