Service members and veterans who believe they are sick because of exposure to burn pits would gain easier access to treatment, under a measure now pending before the House. The measure, H.R. 5671, calls for the evaluation of service members’ exposure to the open pits, and the toxic chemicals that emanated from them while they were ablaze. The pits were used to dispose of trash at bases in southwest Asia and Afghanistan.
More than 140,000 past and present service members are estimated to have been exposed to the pits. The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that as many as 3.7 million persons are eligible to sign up for the agency’s burn pit registry.
Exposure to burn pit fumes can lead to a host of neurological, cancer-related, and pulmonologic conditions. Reps. Tulsi Gabbard, D- Hawaii, and Brian Mast, R-Fla., introduced the legislation, which now sits with the House Armed Services military personnel subcommittee.
Specific provisions include:
* A requirement that the Pentagon identify and record the names of service members who have been stationed at sites where burn pits were used or they were exposed to toxic chemicals. This would include any information regarding the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, in periodic health assessments, separation histories, physical examinations, and post-deployment health assessments.
* Any past or present service member who meets any of the criteria listed above automatically would be listed in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, unless they opt out of participation.
* The Defense and Veterans Affairs departments should share information relating to exposure.