Democrats blast Army's handling of toxic exposures in Iraq

Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., called the Army's response to soldiers exposed to a highly toxic carcinogen in Iraq "inadequate" and said the Democratic Policy Committee will request a report from the Pentagon's inspector general on the matter.

Five soldiers who served at an Iraqi water injection facility in 2003 testified before the committee on Monday, outlining symptoms believed to be the result of exposure to sodium dichromate spread across the facility.

All five have experienced long-term problems from the exposure to the orange dust, the same highly toxic chemical that was the focus of the case made famous in the movie "Erin Brockovich." While many had immediate health problems -- one broke out in sores after only three days at the facility -- they were unaware they had been exposed to the chemical until they received letters from the Army earlier this year.

Combat Engineer Glen Bootay found out just weeks ago through a newspaper article. But the soldiers' concerns about their symptoms were downplayed, both in 2003 and in the recent Army letter, several members of the committee said.

Dorgan, chairman of the committee, said the Defense Department "failed to protect our troops" and said he believes the department "is downplaying this problem in part because it is an embarrassment to them."

Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., called the situation "appalling."

A report from the Army's Center for Health Promotion and Preventative Medicine contained inconsistencies and conflicting conclusions, and the blood tests performed on some soldiers were inadequate and taken too long after exposure to provide accurate information, according to former EPA associate director Herman Gibb.

Gibb told the committee that soldiers were exposed to 80 to 200 times the federal limit for worker exposure to sodium dichromate, which he called one of the most potent human carcinogens. He said the Army study and the notification letter seemed to minimize the dangers.

The soldiers at the facility were providing security to the contractor KBR when they were exposed. Dorgan said KBR's handling of the situation, as well as the Army's response, is concerning. "I wish I could say the Department of the Army has done everything in search for the truth, but sadly I don't feel that's the case," Dorgan said.

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said he is convinced enemies spread the chemical around the facility before the American troops arrived and said he will look into awarding Purple Hearts to those sickened from exposure. The five soldiers who testified asked the committee to ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes the symptoms and will classify symptoms as service-related disabilities.