Pulmonary and systemic effects of deployment-related air pollution on veterans
Official title: CMA: Pulmonary and Systemic Effects of Deployment Related Particulate Matter Exposures
Funded at VA Boston Health Care System · NIH-11264888 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will look at how exposure to air pollution during deployment may affect lung and overall health in veterans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Boston Health Care System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2020 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX004619-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11264888 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans who were deployed to Southwest Asia and have or have had respiratory symptoms or concern for lung health.
✕Less likely to help
Veterans without deployment exposure or without current respiratory concerns may gain less direct benefit from this specific sub-study.
What this research studies
Veterans exposed to dust, burn-pit smoke, and other pollutants during deployments in Southwest Asia will be studied to understand how these exposures relate to changes in lung function and systemic health. The research will use historical satellite data and regional records to estimate each person’s PM2.5 exposure and then compare with lung tests and symptom reports from participating veterans. A subset of about 280 participants at four sites will receive additional health assessments to capture early signs of lung disease beyond standard spirometry. The study is part of a larger effort to clarify deployment-related health risks and guide potential care strategies for affected veterans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Results could improve understanding of how deployment-related air pollution affects lung health and inform screening and care for veterans with exposure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research suggests exposure-related lung effects, and this project extends that work with broader exposure assessment and systemic health measures.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Boston Health Care System
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garshick, Eric — VA Boston Health Care System
- Study coordinator: Garshick, Eric
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.