Gross hematuria and lower urinary tract symptoms in U.S. Veterans associated with exposure to military burn pits post-deploymentto Iraq and Afghanistan

Objective The aim of the study is to describe rates of hematuria and other lower urinary tract symptoms, including self-reported cancer rates, among veterans postburn pits emissions exposure during deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. Methods US post-9/11 veterans with burn pits emissions exposure confirmed via DD214 forms in the Burn Pits360.org Registry were sent a modified survey. Data were deidentified and anonymously coded. Results Twenty-nine percent of the 155 respondents exposed to burn pits self-reported seeing blood in their urine. The average index score of our modified American Urological Association Symptom Index Survey was 12.25 (SD, 7.48). High rates of urinary frequency (84%) and urgency (76%) were self-reported. Bladder, kidney, or lung cancers were self-reported in 3.87%. Conclusions US veterans exposed to burn pits are self-reporting hematuria and other lower urinary tract symptoms.