Efforts led by U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) to better understand how exposure to toxic burn pits on military bases is impacting the health of veterans across the nation gained Senate approval on Monday.
The Helping Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits Act was approved as part of the larger National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2018. Tillis’ provision would establish a center for excellence within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to explore the potential health impacts of service members being exposed to open burn pits.
“Many of our brave men and women in uniform were exposed to harmful substances from toxic burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan, and we have an obligation to care for them,” Tillis said. “Understanding the health effects associated with exposure to burn pits is the beginning of that commitment, and I am proud this provision was included in the final version of the NDAA’s Senate passage.”
Open burn pits have been used to dispose of potentially toxic substances like plastic, aerosol cans, electronics, human waste, tires, batteries and jet fuel on military bases. The center for excellence will explore potential links between the burn pits and health conditions like cancer, neurological disorders, reproductive issues, respiratory toxicity and cardiovascular toxicity.
“I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure this legislation is signed into law soon so we can begin providing resources to the VA and provide treatment to veterans who became sick after exposure,” Tillis said.
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the bipartisan bill with Tillis. U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) was an original cosponsor of the bill.