Senate Bill Calls for Research on Families of Troops Exposed to Toxins

By Patricia Kime, Navy Times: More research is needed on the health of the children and grandchildren of troops exposed to environmental pollution and chemicals while they served in the military, several U.S. senators say.

Before returning to their states Aug. 1 for recess, Sens. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Mark Begich, D-Alaska, introduced a bill that would require the Veterans Affairs Department to establish a center for researching the health conditions of descendents of troops who may have been exposed to toxic chemicals.

The research would address illnesses stemming from service in Vietnam, the Persian Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

“The Toxic Exposure Research Act is about addressing the painful, residual wounds of war that may impact a service member’s family long after the military operation is over,” Moran said in a release Aug. 1.  To read entire article, click here:  http://www.navytimes.com/article/20140812/BENEFITS06/308120050/Senate-bill-calls-research-families-troops-exposed-toxins