Oregon Guard exposed to hexavalent chromium in Iraq could get some financial help.

NOTE from Larry Scott, VA Watchdog dot Org ... This is one of those good news / bad news situations.  It's good news that these troops exposed to toxins in Iraq could receive some help.  The bad news is that it's the state that is doing it.  This is the responsibility of the Pentagon and the VA ... not the state.  For more information on toxic exposures in Iraq, view our Iraq War Toxins page.

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Bill offers aid to Guard troops exposed to chemical

Oregon men affected by toxic substance in Iraq

By Tracy Loew
Statesman Journal

Oregon National Guard soldiers who were exposed to toxic chemicals in Iraq could get some financial help under a bill passed by an Oregon House Committee on Wednesday.

In 2003, National Guard members from Oregon and Indiana were assigned to protect Halliburton KBR contractors restoring an industrial water plant near Basra.

Guard veterans Scott Ashby and Larry Roberta told lawmakers about the orange-colored powder that coated the ground and other surfaces at the plant.

"I had some of it blow onto my face, onto my chicken patty while I was eating. It burnt like hell going down," Aumsville resident Roberta said.

Despite their concerns and health complaints, Oregon National Guard members weren't told until this year that the substance was hexavalent chromium, which increases the risk of cancer and other diseases.

One Oregon National Guard member who was exposed has died of leukemia, and three more have contracted cancer.

Roberta now is totally disabled, he told lawmakers. He takes a host of medicines and has trouble walking a block and a half to the mailbox.

House Bill 3480 would provide funds to Guard members who develop cancer as a result of exposure to the chemical.

The bill allocates $20,000 during the next biennium, but Rep. Chip Shields (D-Portland), the bill's chief sponsor, said an expected amendment likely will raise the amount.

"There is virtually no doubt that KBR's manager knew the site was contaminated, but that information was never given to our troops," Shields said.

Meanwhile, KBR employees and Indiana Guardsmen have filed lawsuits against KBR. The company denies any wrongdoing.

House Bill 3480:

www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb3400.dir/hb3480.intro.pdf 

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TOPICS: veterans, veterans' benefits, VA, Department of Veterans' Affairs, Iraq, KBR, Oregon National Guard, hexavalent chromium, sodium dichromate