U.S. soldiers exposed to toxins at site KBR knew was contaminated, senators say

[Fireweed247]

As two U.S. senators Wednesday were saying more soldiers than previously reported have been exposed to a toxic carcinogen in Iraq, the Oregon National Guard Wednesday sent out letters to 433 soldiers to tell them they may be among those affected.

The chemical is hexavalent chromium, which has figured into some OSHA settlements.

It is also the same toxin infamously found in elevated levels of groundwater in the town of Hinkley, Calif. in 1991, sending a then-unknown law firm file clerk named Erin Brockovich on a now-famous fight on behalf of residents against the utility behind the chemical's presence....

Saying they want more answers, U.S. Sens. Birch Bayh, D-Ind., and Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., on Wednesday said Houston-based contractor KBR Inc. allowed soldiers to be exposed to the chemical for more than two months even though KBR knew the site was contaminated, according to The Associate Press.

They also said Indiana National Guard troops didn't learn of possible exposure until they saw KBR workers wearing special clothing, AP reported.

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/nowhearthis/archives/161831.asp

[Fireweed247]

1. I'll never understand why DUers don't care about things like this

but Bristol's threads or other stupid shit will get replies....strange....

[Fireweed247]

2. Guard troops didn't learn of possible exposure until they saw KBR workers wearing special clothes

I guess we are used to our troops being treated this way. And people wonder why someone wouldn't want their child to join the military...