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From the open burn
pits to sodium dichromate, we know our troops in Iraq have been
exposed to many deadly substances.
Many feel the war in
Iraq will leave the U.S. with a whole generation of veterans much
like those who came out of the first Gulf War of 1991... seriously
ill and / or disabled.
On this page, we will
provide information about the major toxic exposure issues in Iraq.
At the top of the
page will be general news on toxins in Iraq, then information on the burn pits followed by the sodium
dichromate exposure issue.
We will add
information and resources as they become available.
NOTE: This page
is a work in progress. If you know of articles, websites,
blogs, or any other good information sources, please let us know so
we can add them to this page.
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GENERAL NEWS ABOUT
TOXINS IN IRAQ
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SENATORS HEAR OF
TROOPS' TOXIC EXPOSURES
(10-09-09)
From Camp Lejeune to Atsugi, from
burn pits to sodium dichromate, Senate Vets' Committee hears
about "witch's brew of toxic chemicals."
LEGISLATION WOULD
CREATE IRAQ WAR REGISTRY (03-21-09)
Bill would create a registry that
would speed exams and treatment through the VA and authorizes a
scientific review of evidence linking chemical exposure to health
problems.
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IRAQ BURN PITS
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When did the military
know about the deadly burn pits? Here is the now-classified
"Curtis burn pit memo" for you to
view or
download...
You will want to
read:
SCREENING HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT BURN PIT EXPOSURES BALAD AIR BASE.
This is the report that states:
Findings indicate that
measured exposure levels from burn pit operations are not
routinely above deployment military exposure guidelines (MEGs) for
exposures up to 1 year.
These results indicate an
“acceptable” health risk for both cancer and non-cancer long-term
health effects.
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Below are news
stories... posted with the newest at the top.
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PENTAGON, TROOPS DIFFER
ON DANGER OF BURN PIT SMOKE
(11-06-09)
DoD's official position:
"only minor, temporary effects have been identified with the burn
pit smoke."
BILL WOULD ONLY
"CURB" WAR ZONE BURN PITS, NOT BAN THEM
(09-14-09)
House puts half-way measure in defense budget which would
allow burn pits to continue operation.
WIDOW JOINS BURN PIT
LAWSUIT
(06-28-09) The
wife of a soldier who died from a brain tumor after being exposed to
smoke from burn pits in Iraq joined more than a dozen Florida
soldiers in a class-action lawsuit.
HOUSE VOTES TO LIMIT
IRAQ BURN PITS
(06-26-09)
"We should not continue to
recklessly use burn pits to dispose of hazardous waste across Iraq
and Afghanistan."
MORE VETERANS SUE KBR
OVER IRAQ BURN PITS
(06-13-09)
Claim KBR burned human corpses, biohazards, Styrofoam, tires,
lithium batteries, asbestos, paint, pesticides and latrine waste.
POLS WANT REGULATION
OF IRAQ BURN PITS
(06-12-09)
"Disturbing reports are coming to light everyday about these burn
pits and the toll they are taking on the health of many of our
service men and women."
POLS WANT GAO TO
ANALYZE IRAQ BURN PIT DATA
(05-28-09)
And, Veterans' Advocate Jim
Strickland offers advice to vets who may have been exposed to toxins
from Iraq burn pits.
GIs, VETS SUE KBR OVER
TOXIC BURN PITS
(04-29-09)
Claim KBR jeopardized the health of
soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan by burning vast quantities of
unsorted waste in enormous burn pits.
UPDATE: DoD WITHHOLDS BURN
PIT RESEARCH DATA FROM CONGRESS MEMBERS
(04-01-09)
Independent scientists cite "significant danger" from Iraq burn
pits, but DoD holds back needed data.
VA SEC. SHINSEKI PROMISES
TO MONITOR IRAQ BURN PIT EXPOSURE DATA
(03-18-09)
Scientists will review surveys "which ask about exposure to smoke
from burn pits, subsequent symptoms, and a variety of other
health-related questions."
CONGRESSMEN DEMAND MORE
INFO FROM DoD ON "BURN PIT" CLAIMS
(02-27-09
Are asking for data from the military about tumor rates to see if a
pattern of problems can be ascertained.
WIDOW WINS VA BENEFITS BUT
STILL WANTS ANSWERS ON HUSBAND'S DEATH
(02-18-09)
Was it toxins from the burn
pits in Iraq that caused the brain tumor that killed Kevin Wilkins?
BURN PITS IN IRAQ EXPOSE
TROOPS TO DEADLY TOXINS (WITH VIDEO)
(12-13-08)
Widow has launched a one-woman campaign to find out whether her
husband's contact with the smoke from burn pits was the reason for
his brain tumor.
REPORT: AKAKA WANTS DoD AND
VA TO REVIEW WAR-ZONE TOXINS
(12-02-08)
Army Times reports Senate Vets' Chair wants answers on burn
pits in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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The following
articles are part of a series appearing in the Military Times
newspapers.
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Letters -- What the troops say about the burn pits
(11-15-08)
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SODIUM DICHROMATE
EXPOSURE IN IRAQ
NOTE: Some
people refer to sodium dichromate as hexavalent chromium. In
fact, sodium dichromate contains hexavalent chromium. (reference
here)
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Below are news
stories... posted with the newest at the top.
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DoD's IG TO
INVESTIGATE CHEMICAL EXPOSURE IN IRAQ
(10-04-09)
Pentagon's Inspector General will look at troop exposure
to hexavalent chromium, also known as sodium dichromate.
SENATORS WANT
PENTAGON IG TO LOOK AT IRAQ TOXINS
(08-13-09)
"We know that multiple failures by contractor KBR lead to
this exposure."
SENATOR: ARMY DID NOT
PROTECT GIs FROM IRAQ POISON
(08-05-09)
Sen. Byron Dorgan: "The Defense Department failed to protect our
troops. And I believe they are downplaying this..."
DEMS TO HOLD HEARING ON
CHEMICAL EXPOSURE IN IRAQ
(08-03-09)
U.S. Senate Democratic Policy Committee will look at sodium
dichromate (hexavalent chromium) exposure at KBR water plant.
DID KBR KNOW HEXAVALENT
CHROMIUM WAS RISK TO GIs?
(06-25-09)
KBR denies any wrongdoing.
Company said it found the chemical, restricted access and cleaned it
up.
OREGON SOLDIERS SUE
KBR FOR TOXIC CHEMICAL EXPOSURE
(06-09-09)
Five current and former Guard soldiers filed suit against KBR,
claiming they were knowingly exposed to hexavalent chromium in Iraq.
OREGON BILL WOULD AID
TROOPS EXPOSED TO CHEMICAL
(05-15-09)
Oregon Guard exposed to hexavalent chromium in Iraq could get some
financial help.
PENTAGON CURBS USE
OF HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM (04-16-09)
Escalating health concerns prompt
virtual ban of chemical, often called sodium dichromate.
SEN. ROCKEFELLER URGES
ACTION FOR GIs EXPOSED TO CHEMICALS IN IRAQ
(04-04-09)
"I am concerned about the delay in finding these military personnel
and providing health assessments."
LEGISLATION WOULD
CREATE IRAQ WAR REGISTRY (03-21-09)
Bill would create a registry that
would speed exams and treatment through the VA and authorizes a
scientific review of evidence linking chemical exposure to health
problems.
BILL WOULD GUARANTEE VA CARE FOR DICHROMATE EXPOSURE IN IRAQ
(03-20-09)
Legislation has been introduced by Indiana Senator Evan Bayh.
OREGON VETERAN DISABLED BY HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM
(03-09-09)
"This is our Agent Orange," says one veteran, who served in the
Oregon National Guard.
WEST VA. GUARD STILL SEEKING TROOPS IN POSSIBLE CHEMICAL EXPOSURE
(03-03-09)
Guard is still trying to locate about 25 troops who may have been
exposed six years ago to a toxic chemical at an Iraqi water
treatment plant.
DEFENSE HEALTH BOARD SAYS NO TOXIN OVEREXPOSURE IN IRAQ
(12-24-08)
Finding could hurt Indiana Guardsmen's chances in lawsuit against
defense contractor.
VIDEO: INDIANA GUARD EXPOSED TO DEADLY CHEMICALS IN IRAQ
(12-23-08)
From the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, Monday, December 22,
2008.
FORMER INDIANA GUARD COMMANDER BLAMES TERMINAL CANCER ON CHEMICAL
EXPOSURE (12-12-08)
Retired Lt. Col. James
Gentry, 51, is under hospice care and has been told he has only
weeks to live.
INDIANA GUARD SOLDIERS SUE OVER TOXIC EXPOSURE
(12-04-08)
Filed a federal lawsuit against military contractor KBR, alleging it
allowed soldiers to be exposed to a carcinogen while guarding a
water pumping plant.
INDIANA GUARD WARNS SOLDIERS OF POSSIBLE CHEMICAL EXPOSURE IN IRAQ
(07-30-08)
Troops may have consumed water containing sodium dichromate, a known
cancer-causing agent.
WITNESSES LINK CHEMICAL USED IN IRAQ TO ILL U.S. SOLDIERS
(06-22-08)
"These soldiers were bleeding from the nose, spitting blood.
They were sick."
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