Military Occupational Specialty Codes: Utility in Predicting Inhalation Exposures in Post-9/11 Deployers.

The aim of this study was to examine military occupational specialty (MOS) codes to identify those at risk from inhalation exposures during Southwest Asia deployment. Exposure intensity to diesel exhaust, sandstorms, burn pit smoke, combat dust, and occupational vapors/dusts/gases/fumes (VDGF) were scored for all Army/Marine MOS codes by an expert panel. Based on MOS code, panel-rated exposure scores were compared with questionnaire data from military personnel with postdeployment respiratory illnesses. All exposures except VDGF were rated higher (range P < 0.0001 to P = 0.003) for combat versus noncombat MOS codes. Deployers with respiratory illnesses reported more intense exposure to diesel exhaust (P < 0.0001), burn pit smoke (P < 0.0001), and sandstorms (P = 0.005) compared with panel raters. These deployers clustered in MOS codes rated highest for inhalation hazard exposure intensity. MOS codes are useful in identifying high-risk military occupations where medical surveillance and exposure control should be focused.