Military Environmental Exposures

Abstract

ABSTRACT The passage of the PACT Act of 2022 expanded the services veterans receive through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), ensuring they now qualify for benefits if they've been exposed to certain toxins during their military service. This significant expansion of VA benefits also highlights the need for nurses and other health providers working outside the VA system—who care for millions of veterans—to be well-informed about their patients' military experiences and any potential environmental exposures and health impacts. In this article, the author raises awareness of military environmental exposures and offers guidance about exposure-informed care.