Bone marrow
Organ / systemThe factory inside your bones — especially the pelvis, spine, and breastbone — where stem cells make red blood cells, white (immune) cells, and platelets.
What toxicants do here
The marrow's blood-forming stem cells are especially vulnerable. Benzene (in jet fuel and solvents) and ionizing radiation damage these stem cells directly.
Lead jams the enzyme assembly line that builds hemoglobin, so red cells are made poorly. When the stem-cell factory is disrupted at the source, the downstream effects show up across the whole body — anemia, weakened immunity, and, with benzene or radiation, blood cancers.
What targets it — tap to learn each one
Benzene and ionizing radiation are documented causes of leukemia, aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. Adult leukemia and aplastic anemia/MDS are Camp Lejeune presumptives (38 CFR §3.309(f)); leukemia other than CLL is on the radiation presumptive list (38 CFR §3.309(d)(2)) for veterans who took part in a listed radiation-risk activity.
Marrow injury can progress quietly toward anemia, immune problems, or blood cancers. A simple blood count (CBC) is the front-line check — a clinician interprets it.
Bring this to your clinician and your VSO — they decide what testing and care, if any, is right for you. For general, whole-person ways to support your body, see Whole health.
Drafted from the government's and science's own record — VA presumptive lists (PACT Act, 38 CFR, Camp Lejeune), ATSDR ToxFAQs, IARC, and NTP. Sources are cited on every page, and this library has not yet been reviewed by a named clinician or toxicologist. This is documentation to bring to your clinician and VSO — not a diagnosis, a treatment plan, or a determination of service connection. Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988, then press 1.