Veterans Demand Answers from KBR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, January 8, 2009
CONTACT: Chrissy Stevens (212) 982-9699 or Chrissy@iava.org [1]

NEW YORK - Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest nonpartisan group for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, called for the military contracting firm KBR to come clean about any knowledge of toxins present at a power plant in Iraq and demanded that Congress take action on the issue of toxic exposure in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"This situation with KBR may just be the tip of the iceberg. From burn pits to power plants, we are hearing more and more about troops who have been exposed to toxins while serving our country overseas," said IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff. "It is critical that Congress follows Senator Bayh's lead to implement a medical registry so that we can find out the true extent of toxic exposure in Iraq and Afghanistan. We owe these servicemembers and their families real answers."

Last month, sixteen Indiana Guardsmen assigned to protect KBR employees at a power plant in Iraq announced they were suing the defense contractor, accusing the company of knowingly exposing them to a cancer-causing chemical. The Guardsmen claim that upon returning home from Iraq they developed new health problems, including rashes, tumors, and even cancer. Already, one Indiana Guardsman has died from lung cancer and CBS News has reported that 60 percent of the soldiers "exhibit symptoms of exposure." Their lawsuit, filed in a US District Court, claims that KBR managers knew the site was contaminated but "downplayed and disregarded" the risk. Thus far, KBR has denied any negligence or wrongdoing.

Senator Evan Bayh (Indiana) has announced that he will reintroduce legislation to create a medical registry for military personnel exposed to toxins. The registry would track servicemembers exposed to industrial toxins during wartime service, guaranteeing them access to priority care at VA hospitals.

"Any service member exposed to toxic chemicals while deployed should receive the best health care our country has to offer," Senator Bayh said. "This registry, modeled after our government's response to Agent Orange during the Vietnam conflict, will cut through bureaucratic red tape so exposed troops can get the medical monitoring and treatment they deserve in the event health conditions develop later in life."

Rieckhoff added, "IAVA has consistently supported the need for a medical registry for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, and this latest example of toxic exposure underlines the urgency. IAVA looks forward to working with Senator Bayh and members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to get this legislation passed swiftly."

To arrange an interview with IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff or a veteran who has a story about chemical exposure, please contact Chrissy Stevens at (212) 982-9699 or Chrissy@iava.org [1].

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org [2]) is the country's first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and has more than 125,000 veteran members and civilian supporters nationwide. Its mission is to improve the lives of this country's newest generation of veterans and their families.