UPDATE: DoD WITHHOLDS BURN PIT RESEARCH DATA

FROM CONGRESS MEMBERS -- Independent scientists

cite "significant danger" from Iraq burn pits, but

DoD holds back needed data.

Story below:

Your comments accepted at bottom of page.

Share story/email link.
-------------------------

by Larry Scott

Eight Member of Congress are not happy today.

DoD is withholding important data about what might be in the fumes that came out of the burn pits in Iraq.

More info on Iraq War toxins here...
http://www.vawatchdog.org/iraqwartoxins.htm

We have two pieces of information.

First is an excerpt from a story in the Military Times.

Lawmakers seek details of burn pit data

By Kelly Kennedy
Staff writer

Troops exposed to fumes from open-air burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan face “significant danger,” according to independent scientists hired by Congress to look at a study conducted by the military on the burn pit at Joint Base Balad, the largest U.S. facility in Iraq.

“Independent scientists who have reviewed the joint study of Balad Air Base have informed us that there is a significant danger that veterans may become ill as a result of exposure to fumes emanating from such burn pits,” states a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates signed and sent by eight lawmakers on March 30. “They also noted that the underlying data supporting the study was not included and that it will be difficult to ascertain the potential health care implications of exposure to the fumes without this data.”

 

The complete story is here...
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/03/mi
litary_burnpits_congress_gates_033109w/

Then, below is the text of the letter from the eight Members of Congress to SecDef Gates.

Complete letter is here for viewing or download...

                            click for more information -- a disabled veteran owned business
 

The Honorable Robert M. Gates

Secretary of Defense

1000 Defense Pentagon

Washington, DC 20301

March 30, 2009

Dear Secretary Gates:

We are concerned that veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan may be ill, and some may have actually died, as a result of exposure to dangerous toxins produced by burn pits used to destroy waste. The Military Times reports that scores of returning veterans who were exposed to burn pits display similar symptoms: chronic bronchitis, asthma, sleep apnea, chronic coughs, and allergy-like symptoms. Several also have cited heart problems lymphoma, and leukemia. We write to request that you direct relevant DoD personnel to fully comply with the VA's requests for information needed to study the impact of these potential environmental exposures.

Our experience with treating illnesses caused by Agent Orange and Gulf War Illness taught us that we must be vigilant in monitoring and treating our veterans long after they have returned from the battlefield. Although the Department of Defense currently maintains that there are no health dangers to troops from exposure to burn pits, we believe it is premature to dismiss concerns raised about burn pits after only a few years.

As you know, a joint study of the burn pit at Balad Air Base found that toxins were present, including carcinogens such as dioxin, but that they did not exceed military exposure guidelines for those exposed to the fumes for one year. The Defense Health Board reviewed the study last year. While the Board found that the study was generally adequate, it identified several weaknesses in the study, including the lack of a comprehensive analysis of the interaction various toxins and the failure to conduct a valid study of relevant health records. It identified several ways in which the Army could improve its examination of dioxin serum sampling and analysis of respiratory illnesses.

Independent scientists who have reviewed the joint study of the Balad Air Base have informed us that there is a significant danger that veterans may become ill as a result of exposure to fumes emanating from such burn pits. They also noted that the underlying data supporting the study was not included and that it will be difficult to ascertain the potential healthcare implications of exposure to the fumes without this data.

For this reason, we request that you make this underlying data available to our staff and to the Government Accountability Office for its review, in a classified setting if required.

Meanwhile, the real indicators of the dangers to veterans are the long-term health measures of those exposed rather than less reliable environmental reports. Therefore, the study of those known to be exposed by bum pits should be the primary focus.

Responding to a recent Congressional request along these lines, Veterans Affairs Secretary Shinseki gave assurance that he is taking seriously our concerns about the danger of burn pits. In the enclosed message, Secretary Shinseki committed to take the following actions which relate to the Department of Defense:

l.    VA scientists have begun health studies on veterans of the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, including requesting assistance from the Department of Defense( DoD) for troop exposure and location data.

2.   VA is working with DoD to obtain all relevant exposure data with the goal of establishing potential correlations with health problems among affected veterans. To this end, VA has established a data sharing agreement with DoD that grants access to this data for separated veterans. VA scientists will also review data gathered from DoD's Post Deployment Health Assessment (PDHA) surveys, which ask about exposures to smoke from burn pits, subsequent symptoms, and a variety of other health related questions.

Since time is oft he essence and the lives of our troops and veterans are at stake, we are requesting your expressed commitment that the Pentagon will fully cooperate with the VA in this matter so that these analyses can be completed as quickly and accurately as possible. We also request that you direct the relevant Department of Defense offices to fully cooperate with the VA's studies,

Thank you for your attention and assistance in this matter.

Signed ... see original here...

-------------------------
posted by Larry Scott
Founder and Editor
VA Watchdog dot Org
-------------------------

-------------------------
Please post your comments below on Google Friend Connect.  You must sign in.  For larger view and work area, click blue "expand" button in upper right corner of comment box.

-------------------------

Don't forget to read all of today's VA News Flashes (click here)
Click here to make VA Watchdog dot Org your homepage
(go back to VA Watchdog dot Org Home Page)