Burn Pit Study: Proposed legislation seeks to study the effects of burn pit exposure on veterans’ health

On Thursday, June 27, 2013, U.S. Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY) and Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO) announced a proposed bill, the Helping Veterans Exposed to Toxic Chemicals Act, to address and study the health issues of veterans who were exposed to open-air burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The proposed, bipartisan legislation would establish three “centers of excellence,” medical centers “in the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation treatment, and rehabilitation of health conditions relating to exposure to open burn pits.”

“Far too many of our brave men and women in uniform are returning home only to find themselves facing debilitating or life-threatening lung conditions after being exposed to airborne hazards and toxins overseas,” said DeGette at the June 27, 2013 press conference. “This legislation will go a long way towards helping America’s service members suffering from respiratory afflictions ultimately gain access to the medical treatments they need, from some of our nation’s top medical research institutions.”

Read more, including the full text of the legislation.

Motley Rice attorneys have been working with co-counsel Susan Burke of Burke PLLC in the KBR, Inc., Burn Pit multidistrict litigation (MDL) representing clients against multiple defense contractors for allegedly exposing American soldiers and former employees of defense contractors to toxic smoke, ash and fumes generated by disposing of waste in open-air burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan. Contact Motley Rice attorney James Ledlie by email or 1.800.768.4026 or Burke PLLC attorney Susan Burke at 202.386.9622 , if you have questions about the burn pit litigation.