The 5
th Annual VA/DOD Burn Pit Symposium was a two-day meeting of federal agencies on burn pits and airborne pollutants, but as with previous joint VA/DOD Airborne Hazard Symposiums -- the meeting was closed to the public and press.
The symposium's purpose, was to "
provide an opportunity to discuss what we know, what we need to know and what can be done to study and improve care" for veterans and troops who "
might have suffered adverse health effects related to exposure to airborne hazards, including burn pit smoke and other pollutants."
The following presentations were presented: remarks from senior VA and DOD officials, updates on the VA/DOD deployment health working group
Airborne Hazards Joint Action Plan, updates on the
Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, occupational and environmental exposures-assessing, protecting, preventing, and recording, Veterans Benefits Administration update, and education and outreach.
During the VSO/MSO forum we discussed issues and ideas on how to conduct outreach. VA and DOD announced that additional funding ($5 million for the VA, $2 million for the DOD) was granted to conduct outreach. The number of participants and burn pit health exams indicate a need for improvement on public outreach to better inform the public about the Registry.
Burn Pits 360's biggest concern is that after almost 7 years since the bill has passed, there is still no strategic plan or even execution of proper outreach. Our organization deals daily with veterans and widows currently being misdiagnosed and denied health & compensation benefits. It is disheartening to know the delay and denial tactic is still in place.
A reminder that we will be hosting our 2019 Burn Pits Congressional Briefing in Washington D.C. on April 30th.
You can RSVP here. We also need your financial support to make this a success.
Can you chip in $15 right now to help us inch closer to fully fund our briefing?Thank you for your continued support.
Best,
Rosie Torres
Co-Founder of Burn Pits 360
