Army to review chemical exposure ruling in KBR case

[unhappycamper]

Army to review chemical exposure ruling in KBR case
Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Thursday, October 2, 2008

WASHINGTON — The Army says it will re-examine its response to the exposure of KBR workers and U.S. troops to a known carcinogen at a water treatment plant in Iraq, according to a report in Wednesday editions of the Houston Chronicle.

In June, former KBR workers, appearing before a Senate panel, accused the Houston-based military contractor of knowingly exposing workers and troops to the chemical sodium dichromate, the Chronicle wrote.

The Army conducted what a Pentagon official described as comprehensive medical evaluations and said it found "no specific abnormalities attributable to possible exposure," and expected no long-term health effects, according to the report.

But after lawmakers challenged the thoroughness of that investigation, Army Secretary Pete Geren agreed to establish a senior level Army review panel to determine whether the Army "exercised appropriate contract administration and oversight of KBR," the Chronicle reported.

The Chronicle reported that KBR spokeswoman Heather Browne sent them the following in an e-mail: "We take issue with the assertion that KBR knowingly harmed troops and was responsible for an unsafe condition," adding the company "in no way condones any action that would compromise the safety of those we serve."


Article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=57830