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thedrifter
03-26-05, 09:33 AM
Release No. 03-17-05
March 24, 2005

VA reaches out to veterans exposed to mustard agents


The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced a national outreach campaign to locate veterans who were exposed to mustard gas or the chemical weapon Lewisite during their service.

Most of these veterans participated in chemical testing programs during World War II. They were exposed to mustard agents, which includes sulfur mustard and nitrogen mustard, and Lewisite, which is a blister-producing chemical that contains organic arsenic.

VA launched an awareness campaign in 1993 about benefits for veterans exposed to chemical warfare materials. This new effort includes direct mailings to veterans newly identified by the Department of Defense (DoD).

Most of these "mustard gas veterans" took part in DoD tests during World War II. The tests were designed to evaluate clothing, ointments and equipment that would protect American troops from mustard agent attacks.

As part of those tests, DoD reported some participants were exposed to a drop of a chemical-warfare agent on an arm, while others had full-body exposure in test chambers, sometimes with limited protective clothing.

VA is mailing information to the veterans and survivors within the first group of participants identified by DoD. The information covers VA medical and financial benefits, data about the effects of exposure to chemical warfare agents, and telephone numbers for VA and DoD offices involved in the outreach campaign. VA is continuing to seek addresses for additional veterans and survivors.

Veterans or their survivors with questions about these benefits should contact VA at 1-800-749-8387 or visit VA's benefits Web site at www.vba.va.gov .


Ellie