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Army investigating possible chemical exposure

WASHINGTON — The Army will complete an investigation within 60 days into whether Indiana National Guardsmen and other soldiers providing protection at a water pumping plant in Iraq in 2003 were exposed to a deadly chemical.

Army Secretary Pete Geren said in a letter to Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh that the “senior level” review will look at the Army’s procedures for handling hazardous exposure, the actions taken to follow up with those who may have been exposed and whether the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers properly oversaw contract work by Kellogg, Brown and Root Services.

Geren said he also has asked for an independent review of the medical evaluations initially conducted by the Army about the incident.

Bayh requested the Army investigation after congressional Democrats in June held a forum about the potential exposure at the Qarmat Ali water pumping plant.

Two KBR employees told Senate Democrats that workers and soldiers were exposed in 2003 to sodium dichromate, a known carcinogen, despite the company’s assurances that the site was safe.

Members of the 1st Battalion, 152nd Infantry of the Indiana National Guard were among the soldiers providing protection to the defense contractors.

Bayh called the investigation “an essential first step to ensure that members of the Indiana National Guard received the best care possible when they were unwittingly exposed to potentially carcinogenic toxins in the line of duty.”

One former KBR employee said the plant was covered in a layer of bright orange dust that became airborne during dust storms.

Ed Blacke, who was the company’s health, safety and environmental coordinator at the site, said that after he determined the chemical was sodium dichromate, KBR officials told workers that the chemical was only a mild irritant and that the plant had been thoroughly checked for safety.

KBR has denied that the company “knowingly harmed troops and was responsible for an unsafe condition.”

Bayh, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is also seeking legislation to create an Agent Orange-style registry for military personnel exposed to hazardous chemicals while serving in the line of duty. Bayh said that would guarantee access to follow-up medical evaluations and priority status at veterans hospitals and clinics.