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Issue Background: In both Iraq and Afghanistan the U.S. Military has oftentimes been required to use “open-air” burn pits as the only means to dispose of waste. Many veterans, of both Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), have been reporting symptoms now being linked to the use of these “open-air” burn pits. Unfortunately, little is known about the effects of “open-air” burn pits and the long term health problems they may cause. While there is still extensive research to be done, symptoms such as respiratory, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal failure have been commonly linked to the inhalation of chemicals identified in such “open-air” burn pits, such as the one in Balad, Iraq.
Action Required: Contact your Representatives and Senators and urge them to consider and cosponsor H.R. 3337 and S. 1798, the Open Burn Pit Registry Act. These bipartisan bills were introduced by Representative Todd Akin (R-MO-02) and Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) on 3 November 2011 in the House and Senate respectively. The bills would direct the Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) to: (1) establish and maintain an open burn pit registry for members of the Armed Services deployed in a contingency operation in Iraq or Afghanistan who may have been exposed to toxic chemicals and fumes caused by open burn pits used for disposing of solid waste, (2) include in such registry information necessary to ascertain and monitor the health effects of such exposure, (3) develop a public information campaign to inform eligible individuals about the registry and (4) periodically notify such individuals of significant developments in the study and treatment of conditions associated with such exposure. The bills would also require the Secretary of the VA to: (1) contract with an independent organization to develop a report assessing the effectiveness of actions taken to collect and maintain information on the health effects of such exposure and (2) submit the completed report to Congress.
Take Action: Click the “Take Action” to immediately to email and/or write to your Senators and Representatives. This is the quickest and most effective method of expressing your views to Congress. Please use the AMVETS-suggested message below to urge your legislators to consider and cosponsor H.R. 3337 and S. 1798, the Open Burn Pit Registry Act. Also, contact friends and family and urge them to take action. It is not necessary to be a member to take action. Please direct any questions concerning this issue to our Director of Legislation, Diane Zumatto (301) 683-4016 dzumatto@amvets.org |