| Last updated on 2009-08-06 09:44:33 |
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Force Health Protection and Readiness Launches Chemical-Biological Warfare Exposures Web Site September 17, 2008 The Department of Defense Force Health Protection and Readiness Directorate (FHP&R) has launched the Chemical-Biological (CB) Warfare Exposures Web site to provide Service members, veterans, their families and the public with information on the testing of chemical and biological warfare agents from 1942 to 1975. The Web site presents sections on World War II, Project 112/SHAD (Shipboard Hazard and Defense), and the Cold War. To evaluate the ability of U.S. forces to fight on a chemical and biological battlefield, DoD conducted testing programs. In some programs Service members were present but not test subjects and in other programs they were volunteer human subjects. This testing ended in 1975. DoD has been actively engaged in an extensive search of official records to find the names of veterans who may have been exposed to the chemical or biological agents. DoD plans to complete the search in 2011, but will pursue any leads from veterans or others who may have information. The Service member names identified by DoD, along with specific exposure information, are provided to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA then notifies the individuals of their potential exposure, provides treatment if necessary, and adjudicates any claim for compensation. For privacy reasons, the Web site does not contain the names of the veterans exposed. Veterans who believe that they may have been exposed or who would like more information are advised to contact DoD via e-mail at: FHPWebmaster@tma.osd.mil, or call DoD¿s contact managers at (800) 497-6261, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Veterans call also write to DoD at: Force Health Protection and Readiness, ATTN: CB Exposure Manager, 5113 Leesburg Pike, Suite 901, Falls Church, VA 22041. The Chemical-Biological Warfare Exposures Web Site: http://fhp.osd.mil/CBexposures Force Health Protection and Readiness: http://fhp.osd.mil Department of Veterans Affairs: http://www.va.gov |
