[CPEO-MEF] HEALTH: Indiana Guard and chromium in Iraq

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

Gentry testifies about chemical
KBR denies soldier exposure to cancer-causing chemical

By Mike Morris (Jasper) Herald
Bedford Times Mail
January 9, 2009


Lawyers for 16 Indiana National Guard soldiers, including two Dubois 
County men, who are suing a defense contractor have released the 
deposition of the troops’ former commander.

The court allowed Jim Gentry, of Williams, to give his testimony early 
because he is terminally ill with cancer, a disease he blames on the 
dangerous toxin he and 140 of his men were exposed to while they guarded 
a water treatment facility near Basrah, Iraq.

A 51-year-old retired lieutenant colonel, Gentry led the Jasper-based 
1st Battalion, 152nd Regiment during its 2003 tour.

The soldiers, who are seeking $1.6 million for medical costs they may 
incur, allege Houston-based KBR Inc. understood the danger posed by the 
orange powder covering the sand around the plant, but disregarded it. 
The powder, which was used to prevent pipe corrosion, contained 
cancer-causing hexavalent chromium.

...

For the entire article, see
http://www.tmnews.com/stories/2009/01/09/news.nw-560227.tms

--


Lenny Siegel
Executive Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
a project of the Pacific Studies Center
278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org



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