Legislation introduced last week would compel the Department of Veterans Affairs to look more closely at the affects toxic burn pits have had on the nation's veterans.
 
Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, introduced the Helping Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits Act on Tuesday.
 
The legislation, if approved, would create a center of excellence within the VA to "better understand the health effects associated with burn pits and treat veterans who become sick after exposure."
 
Tillis and Klobuchar introduced similar legislation last year. The latest bill earned support from numerous co-sponsors, including Republican Sen. Mike Rounds and Democratic Sens. Cory Booker, Al Franken, Tammy Baldwin, Kirsten Gillibrand and Sherrod Brown.
 
Many deployed troops have been exposed to the smoke from toxic, open-air burn pits that were used at military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.
 
According to officials, plastic, aerosol cans, electronic equipment, human waste, tires and batteries were sometimes burning, often after being doused with jet fuel.
 
Rare lung disorders
 
Troops who worked near the pits have reported higher rates of asthma, emphysema and rare lung disorders and exposure to the chemicals found in the burn pits could cause cancer or wreak havoc with a veteran's neurological, reproductive, respiratory or cardiovascular health.
 
"Many of our brave men and women in uniform were exposed to harmful substances from toxic burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan, and we have an obligation to care for them," Tillis said in a statement announcing the legislation with Klobuchar. "This bipartisan bill is the beginning of that commitment, providing resources to the VA to study the health effects caused by the burn pits and to provide treatment to veterans who became sick after exposure. I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure our veterans have the care they need and deserve."
 
Klobuchar said the VA needs to dedicate staff and resources to diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of health conditions stemming from exposure to burn pits.
 
"With an increasing number of our brave men and women returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan citing illnesses potentially caused by burn pits exposure, it's clear that we can't afford to wait," she said. "Our bipartisan bill helps to move us in the right direction by dedicating staff and resources to address the health conditions related to the exposure of burn pits. We need to do right by our veterans and ensure they receive the care and support they need."

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