The Inspector General of the Department of Defense released its long-awaited final report Exposure to Sodium Dichromate at Qarmat Alli Iraq in 2003: Part II Evaluation of Army and Contractor Actions Report No. SPO-2011-009 (September 28, 2011).
Here is the current report: Part II Qarmat Ali FINAL Report Sept 28
And here is a link to a pdf of Part 1, for those interested. The findings confirm much of what the vets in the Qarmat Ali cases have been saying in the their long fight against KBR for exposure injuries from sodium dichormate.
From the summary:
“Contractor recognition of, and response to, the health hazard represented by sodium dichromate contamination, once identified at the Qarmat Ali facility, was delayed. The delay occurred because KBR did not fully comply with occupational safety and health standards required by the contract, and Task Force Restore Iraqi Oil failed to enforce contractor compliance. As a result, a greater number of Service members and DoD civilian employees were exposed to sodium dichromate, and for longer periods, increasing the potential for chronic health effects and future liabilities.”
-DOD IG Qarmat Ali report, p. i.
The DOD IG report explains that KBR first became aware of the sodium dichromate contamination in late May 2003. Our evidence suggests that it was earlier and that KBR knew in April 2003.
The report includes a laundry-list of contract problems and safety violations. KBR did not do what it was supposed to in protecting people at the site. (Report, pp. 12-14). We made similar arguments in court here in Oregon when we briefed and won KBR’s motion to dismiss.
The IG report represents a good day for the sick vets. My view is that the IG acted because the Senate Democratic Policy Committee and Oregon Congressional delegatoin pressed the issue of Qarmat Ali exposures.
The Oregon Congressional delegation provides great leadership on these issues. Senator Wyden, Senator Merkley, Rep. Blumenaur, Rep. Schrader, and Rep. DeFazio have been particularly helpful to Oregon’s Qarmat Ali vets.
As the guy in the trenches, I can say that this day restores some of my lost faith in our government. Members of Congress pushed, and the Inspector General’s office did their job in a frank and thorough fashion. We are pleased.
Meantime, here is today’s report on the Inspector General’s report from The Oregonian. While it is a good day, nothing has changed. The vets are still sick, and KBR has still refused to reckon with the harms and the losses. Our fight for the vets continues.
Revised 29 Sept 2011
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