The Veterans Administration is asking its veteran patients to ask their health providers to provide a toxic exposure screening.

According to VA.gov, toxic exposure is defined by law, generally there are several types of possible exposures or hazards Veterans may have experienced during their military service. Some common examples appear include:

• Open Burn Pits/Airborne Hazards: Contaminants or substances in the air including smoke and fumes from open burn pits and fine particulate matter.
• Gulf War-related exposures: Veterans may have been exposed to a variety of environmental hazards including pesticides and oil well fires.
• Agent Orange: An herbicide used to thin-out thick foliage commonly found in jungles and fields.
• Radiation: Exposure from sources such as nuclear weapons.
• Camp Lejeune contaminated water exposure: Between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, Veterans and their families may have been exposed to contaminated drinking water.
• Other exposures: There are other potential toxic exposures that may occur during military service.

Whenever a veteran works with his primary care provider, he or she should ask about this toxic exposure screening.  The screening takes five to 10 minute.

Veterans can call 833-633-8846 to talk to a VA customer service rep.  The VA rep will then set up a 60-minute consult with someone from their agency.