KBR knew of Oregon soldiers' exposure to cancer-causing hexavalent chromium in Iraq

[kpete]

Source: The Oregonian

KBR knew of Oregon soldiers' exposure to cancer-causing hexavalent chromium in Iraq
Published: Thursday, November 11, 2010, 8:50 PM Updated: Friday, November 12, 2010, 8:55 AM

Documents exchanged in an Oregon lawsuit suggest that Kellogg, Brown and Root managers had medical tests proving workers at an Iraqi water treatment plant had "significant exposure" to a cancer-causing chemical, and managers worried about KBR's liability as a result.

The minutes of an Oct. 2, 2003 meeting about blood and urine tests from workers at the Qarmat Ali plant contradicts KBR's long-standing claims that there was no medical evidence of harm. The documents also indicate KBR's top health, safety and environmental manager knew plant workers continued to use the toxic chemical long after health alarms were raised. While piles of the corrosion fighter containing hexavalent chromium blew in the desert wind, the workers inside mixing the material wore gas masks.

Hundreds of National Guard soldiers were deployed early in the Iraqi war to guard the civilian contractors. Thirty four Oregon Guard soldiers were among those who didn't know the orange dust was dangerous and have sued KBR. They claim they now suffer breathing, skin and stomach problems and face greater risk of cancer. Last month, the Oregon soldiers added Halliburton to the suit. KBR was a subsidiary of the oil and construction giant at the time. The suit claims Halliburton employees oversaw part of the industrial process under KBR's billion dollar no-bid contract to restore Iraqi oil.





Read more: http://www.oregonlive.com/health/index.ssf/2010/11/kbr_knew_of_exposure_of_oregon.html