Unsafe water may have sickened troops in Iraq

[nhboy]

"WASHINGTON — Dozens of U.S. troops in Iraq fell sick at bases using “unmonitored and potentially unsafe” water supplied by the military and a contractor once owned by Vice President Dick Cheney’s former company, the Pentagon’s internal watchdog says.

A report obtained by The Associated Press said soldiers experienced skin abscesses, cellulitis, skin infections, diarrhea and other illnesses after using discolored, smelly water for personal hygiene and laundry at five U.S. military sites in Iraq.

The Pentagon’s inspector general found water quality problems between March 2004 and February 2006 at three sites run by contractor KBR Inc., and between January 2004 and December 2006 at two military-operated locations.

It was impossible to link the dirty water definitively to all the illnesses, according to the report. But it said KBR’s water quality “was not maintained in accordance with field water sanitary standards” and the military-run sites “were not performing all required quality control tests.”

“Therefore, water suppliers exposed U.S. forces to unmonitored and potentially unsafe water,” the report said.

The problems did not extend to troops’ drinking water, but rather to water used for washing, bathing, shaving and cleaning. Water used for hygiene and laundry must meet minimum safety standards under military regulations because of the potential for harmful exposure through the eyes, nose, mouth, cuts and wounds."

Unsafe water may have sickened troops in Iraq - Navy News, opinions, editorials, news from Iraq, photos, reports - Navy Times

 

[RadioPatrol]

"WASHINGTON — Dozens of U.S. troops in Iraq fell sick at bases using “unmonitored and potentially unsafe” water supplied by the military and a contractor once owned by Vice President Dick Cheney’s former company, the Pentagon’s internal watchdog says.

so the fact the VP once owned the company does what ? make him guilty for further actions once he is gone .........

Nice quote Pinhead ............ I think the AP has an AXE to Grind, bringing up this fact ....

It was impossible to link the dirty water definitively to all the illnesses, according to the report. But it said KBR’s water quality “was not maintained in accordance with field water sanitary standards” and the military-run sites “were not performing all required quality control tests.”

“Therefore, water suppliers exposed U.S. forces to unmonitored and potentially unsafe water,” the report said.

The problems did not extend to troops’ drinking water, but rather to water used for washing, bathing, shaving and cleaning. Water used for hygiene and laundry must meet minimum safety standards under military regulations because of the potential for harmful exposure through the eyes, nose, mouth, cuts and wounds.

KBR said its water treatment “has met or exceeded all applicable military and contract standards.” The company took exception to many of the inspector general’s assertions. “KBR’s commitment to the safety of all of its employees remains unwavering,” the company said in a statement to the AP.

KBR is a former subsidiary of Halliburton Co., the oil services conglomerate that Cheney once led.

 

[Lenny]

...by the military and a contractor once owned by Vice President Dick Cheney’s former company, the Pentagon’s internal watchdog says.

Wrong again, Doofus. I own Kellog, Brown and Root.

 

[Bruzilla]

I deployed to Sigonella, Italy twice while in the Navy, and we were told to avoid the drinking water both times. We had to go buy bottled water at the exchange and drink that instead, or risk getting all the maladies that made this article.

Funny, but I don't recall our situation being very newsworthy at the time. I wonder what's changed?

 

[PsyOps]

I deployed to Sigonella, Italy twice while in the Navy, and we were told to avoid the drinking water both times. We had to go buy bottled water at the exchange and drink that instead, or risk getting all the maladies that made this article.

Funny, but I don't recall our situation being very newsworthy at the time. I wonder what's changed?

Were you there before Bush or after?

It matters.

 

[vegmom]

Our tax dollars are paying this company to supply our troops with clean water. This would bother me even if there was no connection to Cheney. The KRB personel over there are not exactly living in the lap of luxury, so the money that is not going towards doing the job they were contracted to do is lining someone's pockets. The "unmonitored" part bothers me the most. Would be an easy way for a terrorist with elementary biochem knowledge to do some serious damage.