Concerns over possible adverse effects of wartime exposure to smoke from
trash burning in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations in Southwest
Asia have stimulated both research and Congressional action. Public Law
112-260, § 201 (enacted January 10, 2013) directed the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and maintain a registry for service
members who may have been exposed to toxic airborne chemicals and fumes
generated by open burn pits. VA asked the National Academies to take on
the responsibility to fulfill a provision of this law that called for an
independent scientific organization to prepare a report addressing
issues related to the establishment and conduct of the registry and use
of the information it collects. This report, prepared by the Committee
on the Assessment of the Department of Veterans Affairs Airborne Hazards
and Open Burn Pit Registry, fulfills the congressional mandate and
provides responses to other questions posed by VA.
No comments:
Post a Comment