{OT:} Are We Poisoning Our Troops?

Are We Poisoning Our Troops?

June 12, 2009

Paul Rieckhoff
Exec. Director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)

Are We Poisoning Our Troops?

Congress Takes Critical Step in Addressing Burn Pits in Iraq,
Afghanistan


Veterans have heard time and again about their fellow troops falling
ill after serving near burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan:

Dennis Gogel was stationed in Balad twice between 2004 and 2006. He
said he was in housing just a few hundred yards from the [burn] pit
and would often jog past the pit. The 29-year old Gogel said that in
the last two years he's had upper respiratory infections, skin
irritation and he's lost 60 pounds since deployment.

"I have blotchy spots on my face. I was treated for psoriasis, but it
won't go way," he said. Gogel said his doctors do not know what caused
the problems.

Gogel said it has affected his fitness, too. "I used to run two miles
in 10 minutes. I am up to 17," he said. -CNN


Already, seven class-action lawsuits are pending on behalf of troops
and contractors who say they were sickened by burn pits in Iraq and
Afghanistan. And at least one servicemember, Air Force Maj. Kevin
Wilkins, may have died as a result of the toxic exposure.

These reports are troubling, but they may be only the beginning. For
years, the military has been using burn pits to dispose of hazardous
waste at its bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. The pits burn everything
from dining and maintenance materials to waste from medical
facilities. This practice has potentially exposed thousands of
servicemembers to toxic air and poor health conditions.

Unfortunately, toxic exposure from the battlefield is not a new issue.
Veterans of previous generations struggled for decades to have
conditions such as Agent Orange exposure and Gulf War Syndrome
recognized as service-connected. For decades, they were denied
appropriate healthcare and benefits. Thanks to years of dedicated
advocacy, these veterans now finally have the access to medical
registries, treatment, and disability benefits they deserve. But our
country cannot repeat this same pattern of denial and delay with Iraq
and Afghanistan veterans.

I first wrote about this issue a few months back, when IAVA launched a
campaign demanding that the defense contractor KBR "come clean" about
their involvement in chemical exposure cases. We got dozens of reports
from our members around the country who reported illnesses after
serving near burn pits. And thousands of Americans took action and
stood up for our troops. Yesterday, we saw some results.

Congress took a critical step forward to identifying and treating
troops that may be suffering as a result of these burn pits. IAVA
joined members of Congress, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), veterans
and their families in a press conference on Capitol Hill to express
support for the "Military Personnel War Zone Toxic Exposure Act" (H.R.
2419), recently introduced by Representatives Tim Bishop and Carol
Shea-Porter. This important legislation would establish a medical
registry to help identify servicemembers exposed to toxins, and
improve the care and benefits they receive. It would also limit the
military's use of burn pits, so that other servicemembers aren't put
at risk.

When our troops deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan, they understand very
well the dangers of combat. These brave men and women have enough to
worry about from insurgents, snipers and roadside bombs. They
shouldn't also have to worry about poison in the air they breathe.
This legislation is the first step toward getting our veterans proper
care. Congress must now move quickly to pass this legislation-- every
second they waste means more lives at risk.
.

Relevant Pages

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    ... AND VETERANS A Report from the Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan ... Progress Already Failing ...
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