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VA tracking exposure to the chemical Cr(VI)
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Veterans, this week let’s discuss a topic that may be of concern to our Oregon National Guard warriors who served in 2003. In the spring and summer of 2003, approximately 700 National Guard personnel from Oregon, South Carolina, West Virginia and Indiana, guarded the water injection plant at Qarmat Ali, Iraq. The area was contaminated with sodium dichromate, which contains hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)], a known cancer-causing chemical. Veterans performing duty in this area could have been exposed to Cr(VI) by breathing sodium dichromate dust. Since the water in this plant was not used for drinking, ingestion of water is not considered a source of exposure. Breathing high concentrations of Cr(VI) may cause lung cancer in workers exposed for years, or it can cause nose irritation (runny nose, sneezing, itching), nosebleeds, ulcers and holes in the nasal septum, asthma and skin irritation and skin ulcers. Most of these symptoms go away after the exposure stops. The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that Cr(VI) in air is a human carcinogen. It is important that the Department of Veterans Affairs monitor all those who may have been exposed to this chemical. Therefore, the VA and DOD are attempting to contact veterans who were possibly exposed to enroll in a special medical surveillance program that has been developed as part of the VA’s Gulf War Registry Examination. The initial examination will include a complete physical with emphasis on the upper respiratory tract (ear, nose and throat), lung and skin examinations. In addition, both a chest x-ray and special test of pulmonary function will be performed. If any abnormalities are found, the participant will be referred to the proper medical specialty. Results from the examination will be tracked in the VA Gulf War Registry. After 1 year, the entire initial examination (except for the chest x-ray) will be repeated. A chest x-ray will be repeated every five years following the initial examination. Veterans in National Guard units from Oregon, South Carolina, West Virginia and Indiana who were physically present at the Qarmat Ali water treatment plant should contact Victoria Koehler, Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Program Manager, at 503-220-8262, ext. 57044; or e-mail is Victoria This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Call me for additional information or to set up an appointment, 541-962-8802. I am located at The Center for Human Development (CHD), 2301 Cove Ave., La Grande.
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