Pentagon to investigate troops exposure to hexavalent chromium in Iraq

[sabra]

Source: Oregon Live

The Pentagon's inspector general is investigating whether the Army mishandled troops exposed to a cancer-causing chemical in Iraq in 2003.

The review comes after seven Senate Democrats charged that the Army and war contractor Kellogg, Brown & Root may have exposed hundreds of soldiers to dangerous levels of hexavalent chromium while they guarded civilian workers at a water treatment plant. Among the troops exposed are at least 292 Oregon Army National Guard soldiers, including 16 who say they were sickened by the contact.

Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said in a statement Tuesday that the oversight hearings he led as recently as last month revealed "repeated and almost unbelievable failures by both the contractor, KBR, and the Army to take the needed steps to protect and even to inform soldiers and workers."

"We want to know how it happened, why it happened, and who is being held accountable," Dorgan said. "An IG investigation is overdue."

The Army has defended its handling of the case and of KBR, which earned millions in bonuses for restoring Iraqi oil production. KBR has denied harming troops.

Read more: http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/09/post_10.html

[Rozlee]

1. And that isn't the even the tip of the iceberg

We used over 350 tons of depleted uranium in the first Gulf War. We've used over 1500 tons in the current one. As a medically retired Army Reserve and also a Civil Service RN that used to work at Brooke Army Medical Center, I still have a nephew that's an RN and several friends that are still there. They are making incidental findings of cancer, severe bone loss, progressive deteriorating vision and other illnesses in amputees and others with wounds that shouldn't have these related problems. I myself became ill with neuro-Behcets Disease during my Desert Storm tour, although that probably doesn't count. We're going to have a tsunami of sick and dying soldiers coming home. And if we don't pass health care reform, these "pre-existing conditions" won't allow them to get insurance and the VA system will be straining at the seams. With almost 100,000 soldiers showing mild to severe sickness from Gulf War Syndrome from the First Bush War, what percentage of soldiers will we have in this one? We already have over 4,600 dead, almost 40,000 wounded in theatre. How many are coming home with a time bomb in their bodies? I try to be a rationally minded person. Am I sounding like a conspiracy theorist?

[Rozlee]

2. And Obama Renewed KBRs contract didn't he?

Why do I belong to such a pussy party? We can't get health care passed, we can't offend the Rethugs by plowing down their contractors. I was so optimistic about Obama, but every day that passes, I wonder if the Repukes have photos of him having a three way with Reid and a koala.

[gimama]

4. Your numbers may be a bit conservative..

..but Your experience & passion are invaluable.
Thank YOU for Your CONTINUED Service.
I'm glad You're here.

[Solly Mack]

3. K&R