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The Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) play distinct roles in dealing with chemical and biological (CB) exposures and are responsible for developing DOD deployment occupational and environmental health surveillance, risk assessment and risk management policies. DOD identifies and validates veteran’s exposure to CB agents and monitors deployment-related exposure incidents and trends. This ensures effective programs are in place to prevent occupational and environmental injuries or illnesses during deployment.
The Public Health Division collaborates with their DOD partners and the VA on long-term medical care and benefits for our service members. The division also provides the names of these individuals along with their exposure information to the VA. The VA then notifies individuals of their potential exposure, provides treatment, if necessary, for these individuals and adjudicates any claim for compensation.
These combined efforts are shaping the future of military medicine by supporting enhanced individual exposure assessment methods. The Public Health Division partners with federal research institutes on many projects to include:
- Development of exposure biomarkers
- Individual chemical dosimeters
- Individual Longitudinal Exposure Records
This page is designed to provide Service members, veterans, their families and the public with information on what happened during CB testing conducted years ago that potentially affected the health of those who served. It provides information on the tests conducted by DOD that possibly resulted in CB exposures only. For privacy reasons, it does not contain the names of the veterans exposed.
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Dec 22, 2020
AFHSD/GEIS continue work with partners across the globe in their efforts to combat COVID-19 and protect military readiness.
Policy
Jul 1, 2020
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Memo about a notification sent by mail to Service members who are eligible for the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry in March 2020.
- Identification #: N/A
- Type: Memorandum
Report
May 8, 2015
.PDF |
195.65 KB
The U.S. Army established its offensive Biological Warfare program at Fort Detrick in 1943. The purpose of the program was twofold: develop defensive mechanisms against biological attack and develop weapons with which the United States could respond “in kind” if attacked by an enemy who used biological weapons.
Report
May 8, 2015
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29.62 KB
Edgewood Arsenal has been the center of chemical warfare research and development since 1918. Therefore, it is not surprising that Edgewood Arsenal became the research hub for chemical agent testing on human subjects from 1955 through 1975. The great majority of the use of volunteers in medical (chemical) research occurred at this installation.
Report
May 8, 2015
.PDF |
107.51 KB
Hallucinogenic agents (principally LSD) were tested on human subjects primarily at Edgewood Arsenal. The aim of this experimentation was to determine the effects of these chemicals on the nervous systems and mental functions of individuals and to evaluate preventive and therapeutic (treatment) agents to combat these effects.
Report
May 8, 2015
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107.26 KB
Bari lies along the Adriatic Sea at the top of the heel of the boot of Italy (See Figure 1). During World War II, the port of Bari was under the jurisdiction of the British and was the main supply base for General Montgomery’s Eighth Army as well as the headquarters for the American Fifteenth Air Force which was activated in November 1943.
Presentation
Aug 11, 2014
.PDF |
886.45 KB
Decision briefing at the August 11, 2014 Defense Health Board meeting on Deployment Pulmonary Health
Presentation
Jun 3, 2014
.PDF |
131.41 KB
Public Health Subcommittee Update presented to the Defense Health Board
Policy
Jan 11, 2011
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78.94 KB
Memorandum about identifying veterans who may have been exposed to chemical and biological agents in connection with research projects and to provide information potentially relevant to current health concerns.
- Identification #: OSD 14995-10
- Type: Memorandum
Presentation
Nov 1, 2010
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307.90 KB
Military Occupational Environmental Health and Medical Surveillance Subcommittee Update briefing presented to the Defense Health Board Nov. 1, 2010
Presentation
Aug 18, 2010
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174.43 KB
Theater Air Monitoring Plan and Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center Burn Pit Exposure briefing presented to the Defense Health Board Aug. 18, 2010
Presentation
Jun 8, 2010
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198.29 KB
Military Occupational Environmental Health and Medical Surveillance Subcommittee briefing presented to the Defense Health Board June 8, 2010
Presentation
Mar 1, 2010
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200.21 KB
Military Occupational Health and Medical Surveillance Subcommittee briefing presented to the Defense Health Board March 1, 2010
Presentation
Nov 13, 2009
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Military Occupational Environmental Health and Medical Surveillance Subcommittee Update presented to the Defense Health Board Nov. 13, 2009
Presentation
Oct 1, 2009
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Suicide Prevention Valuable Information Learned from Army Surveillance and Research presented to the Defense Health Board Oct. 1, 2009
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Last Updated: October 04, 2023