  The American Veteran's #1 Information Source Click here to make VA Watchdog dot Org your homepage VA NEWS FLASH from Larry Scott at VA Watchdog dot Org -- 03-18-2009 |
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The American Veteran's #1 Information Source Click here to make VA Watchdog dot Org your homepage VA NEWS FLASH from Larry Scott at VA Watchdog dot Org -- 03-18-2009 |
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BURN PIT EXPOSURE DATA -- Scientists will review surveys "which ask about exposure to smoke from burn pits, subsequent symptoms, and a variety of other health-related questions."
Story below:
Your comments accepted at bottom of page.
by Larry Scott
Many feel the open burn pits in Iraq could lead to another round of illnesses much like Gulf War Illnesses. For background on the burn
pits... click here... We reported that a number of
Members of Congress wrote to VA Sec. Shinseki about the problem.
That story here... Now, Shinseki has given an official VA response. Shinseki's response to Members of Congress is here for viewing or download... And, posted below:
THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
March 13, 2009
I am responding to your letter about the effects of exposure to toxins produced by bum pits on Veterans returning from conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. I share your concerns that some Veterans could have health problems from such exposures, and I fully agree that our experiences with returning Vietnam War and Gulf War Veterans show that we must take these concerns very seriously. You asked that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) investigate the health effects of these exposures. VA has ongoing studies on the health of earlier combat Veterans, including Vietnam and the 1991 Gulf War. VA scientists have begun similar 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. VA has initiated the "National Health Study for a New Generation of U.S. Veterans,' a large population-based study comparing health of deployed and non-deployed Veterans. It compares 30,000 Veterans deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq and 30,000 non-deployed Veterans, and evaluates self-reported exposures (including burning trash and feces), symptoms, chronic health conditions, functional status, pregnancy outcomes and health care utilization. You also asked VA to record toxic substance exposures among Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. VA will work 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. Our 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. VA will evaluate the feasibility of monitoring toxic substances in Veterans, although most toxic materials from burn pits may be eliminated from the bodies of exposed Veterans in a matter of days or weeks. I agree that it will be essential for VA to educate its health care providers about toxic exposures and possible long-term health effects related to the burn pits. We will incorporate these topics in our ongoing process to develop and provide appropriate education materials for VA health care providers Finally, I want to assure you that VA takes very seriously its responsibility to evaluate potential health problems that may result from environmental exposures during combat deployments. VA has learned important lessons from previous military conflicts and now strives to anticipate and respond to the needs of Veterans who have concerns about environmental exposures. In fact, we are currently evaluating the need for an independent assessment by non-governmental scientific experts to help us understand the health effects of various combat exposures. I
look forward to working with you to ensure that Veterans continue to
receive the high-quality benefits and services they have earned. A similar
response has been sent to the cosigners of your letter.
Eric K. Shinseki -------------------------
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