updated on 1 Nov 09
Short Version
Department of the Navy documents show that during the years between 1983 and 2001, personnel at NAF Atsugi were exposed to environmental contaminants in the air and soil. The source of toxic chemicals was a privately owned, Jinkanpo or Shinkampo Incinerator Complex, right outside the base boundary at the fence line adjacent to NAF Atsugi’s housing area, which included a child care development center and Shirley Lanham Elementary School.
Navy environmental assessments concluded that a health risk and have identified toxic chemicals of concern to which includes Arsenic, Benzene, Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, PCBs, Nitrogen Dioxide, Mercury, Sulfur Dioxide, chloroform; 1,2-dichloroethane; methylene chloride; trichloroethylene; chromium; dioxins and furans; and other particulate matter.
United States Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hearing 8 October 09 – Military Exposure, included NAF Atsugi, Japan in the testimony, which consentrated on the toxic hazards to military dependents who were stationed at NAF Atsugi, Japan
A majority of the Navy’s studies and reports have been posted to www.atsugi-incinerator-group.com for your review.
We ask that you support the veterans’ who have faithfully served the United States and provide a non-bias investigation. Former NAF Atsugi Veterans’ request the following: Atsugi Registry, Notification of Toxic Exposure, a list of Presumptive Conditions, Benefits & Compensation.
Sincerely,
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Your Name
Mailing Address
Telephone Number
Email address
Date
Name,
Department
Address
Honorable.............
I was stationed at NAF Atsugi from XXX – XXX.
Or……
My family and I were stationed at NAF Atsugi from XXX – XXX.
During this time (provide details of where you lived on base, what you saw or how you felt about the incinerator – or provide details if any medical staff at Atsugi or Yokosuka advised you or your family that any of the illnesses were cause by the incinerator) How far you lived by the Jinkanpo / Shinkampo or SIC (Shinkampo Incinerator Complex)
(Provide specific illness / cancer / death)
I have been diagnosed with
Or ……
My son/daughter/wife/husband has been diagnosed with
Provide details of how Naval Medicine has assisted or ignored your concerns regarding the chemicals you were or your family was exposed to at NAF Atsugi, Japan.
And ………. Explain that you did not realize or was unaware / not notified of the extent of toxic exposure that could cause such serious illnesses / cancer(s) / long-term effect / or other issues you would like to include in your letter.
If you agree ……. you could suggest the following:
We formally request that the following functions be conducted by an organization outside the realm of the Department of the Navy and an independent and unbiased entity performs these duties.
Outreach: A dedicated, publicized, outreach program in which former
NAF Atsugi, Japan residents can contact and address health concerns.
It would be beneficial to have this in place by 29 January 2010, as
this effort would contribute to an accurate registry and notification
programs. Suggest that an on-line database be created and made
available for former residents to access in which they can provide
contact, health and other pertinent information via email or phone.
Registry: Prepared a valid residential registry, which includes all
former residents, with no exclusions; which can be utilized to
provide personnel information to the Department of Veterans' Affairs by 31
March 2010. As the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center
(NMCPHC)have completed the 2009 Atsugi Health Study, a registry should be
almost complete.
Notification: Publish and notify all NAF Atsugi, Japan residents and
the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, by 30 April 2010, of all
chemicals that was documented, at any time during the incinerator
operations, to exceed safe exposure levels and categorized as
pollutants that are considered harmful to public health as set by
law. Include an accurate list of cancer and non-cancerous illnesses
associated with each documented toxic chemical. The Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) produces toxicological
profiles which confirm health affects for many toxic chemicals, with
this in mind, I believe that there should not be any questions
regarding any adverse health affects caused by any specific toxic
chemical that was documented to exceed safe limits.
NAF Atsugi Health Survey: Request data be gathered from all persons
who lived, worked or went to school and or attended day care at NAF
Atsugi, Japan from 1983 – 2001, for six months or more, by 30 Sept
2010; data questions and or subject areas should be very broad in
range which allows the respondents to include the following
information; Dates stationed at Atsugi: Information on children such
as ages while at Atsugi to include all children in utero, even if the
pregnancy ended after the respondent left Atsugi: health history,
medical complaints and or diagnosis that can be supported by health
records and any other information that is deemed vital so former
resident do not have to continue to repeat survey after survey
regarding this issue and in order to save funding dollars so this
effort will not have to be recurring. Confirm that families did
accompany sponsor to NAF Atsugi, Japan and do not include persons in
the survey did not. Collected data should then be compared to a
populace in which there is no known toxic contaminated air, soil,
water or food and all data shall be publish to include total count of
children and adults, all childhood and adult disease and or cancers,
without any bias or exclusion.
Benefits & Compensation: Assure that military personnel, dependents
and other qualifying populace received annual medical examinations to
include thyroid, liver, and kidney functioning assessments as well
Veterans’ associated health care benefits and compensation. Additionally, A list of presumptive conditions for those who were stationed at NAF Atsugi, Japan and exposed to high levels of DIOXIN, Arsenic, Benzene, Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, PCBs, Nitrogen Dioxide, Mercury, Sulfur Dioxide and other chemicals that were above MCLs in the air and soil from 1983-2001 be developed and set in placed with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs so that all those exposed can received the appropriate benefits and compensation.
cc: Members of the US Congress or the US Senate
CLICK ON "Steps to Take" tab to submit letter.