Web site raises profile of Atsugi health woes

[unhappycamper]

Web site raises profile of Atsugi health woes
By Trista Talton - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Oct 4, 2007 11:38:58 EDT

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — Shelly Parulis wondered if others suffered from unexplainable illnesses after being stationed at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, as she and her family did.

When she launched a Web site last week chock full of information, including health risk assessments, about the now-defunct Shinkampo Incinerator Complex, hundreds of e-mails flooded the site’s inbox.

Active-duty, retired and former sailors and Marines shared stories of their families’ health problems following time spent at Atsugi — kidney disease, cancer, neurological problems, intestinal problems and miscarriages, to name a few.

Whether those illnesses and diseases are directly linked to toxins emitted from the incinerator that sat near base housing, Parulis can’t say.

“It is kind of a validation,” said Parulis, the wife of a recently retired Marine master sergeant. “You know, at first, I just wanted the Navy to help my family.”

She said she’s had to fight to get the Navy to approve full health screenings for her husband, their two children and herself. Now, she wants others who have lived at Atsugi to be aware of the potential link to health problems.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/10/marine_atsugi_071004/




uhc comment: The web sire mentioned in the above article sez:

http://www.atsugi-incinerator-group.com/

The Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan was polluted by the Jinkanpo/Shinkampo or SIC (Shinkampo Incinerator Complex) for almost 20 years.

The incinerator was built in the 1980’s and shut down in 2001 when the U.S. Dept of Justice sued the owner of the incinerator.

The Navy conducted air quality studies and health risk assessments from 1989 - 2001.

Why did the Navy continue to assigned us to a residential toxic wasteland?

The Navy Environmental Health Center (NEHC) is currently working on a epidemiological study.

Military personnel and dependents deserve the truth and medical care.



I concur with Mrs. Parulis --> Military personnel and dependents deserve the truth and medical care.

[MADem]

1. They used to call that thing Hirohito's Revenge....

It was an issue for YEARS...! And the fumes drifted right over housing. The State Department did gripe about it continuously, the Japanese would make promises, do minor fixes that meant little to nothing, and then they would not follow through on larger promises.

I seem to remember a few air quality studies way prior to 89 that were highly problematic. They may have been done by DOD or State, and not the Navy...