Qarmat Ali Water Treatment Facility
During the spring and summer of 2003, about 830 Servicemembers guarded a water treatment facility in the Basrah oil fields at Qarmat Ali, Iraq. Servicemembers included National Guard, Reserve, and active duty soldiers. Many of the Guard/Reserve members were from Indiana, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Oregon.
This facility was contaminated with sodium dichromate dust, which is a source of hexavalent chromium, a chemical that is known to cause cancer.
VA has set up a free, special medical surveillance program to monitor the health of Veterans who were at Qarmat Ali. Contact your local OEF/OIF/OND Program Manager to make an appointment to enroll in the program.
Exposure to chromium at Qarmat Ali
The Qarmat Ali Water Treatment Facility area was contaminated with sodium dichromate. The chemical was used as an anti-corrosion agent by previous workers at the plant and was found on the ground after bags of the chemical were opened at the site. Those Servicemembers assigned to the Qarmat Ali Water Treatment Facility may have been exposed to toxic hexavalent chromium from breathing contaminated sodium dichromate dust.
The water at Qarmat Ali was not used for drinking, so drinking contaminated water is not considered a significant source of exposure.
Service members who worked in the port at Qarmat Ali or those who simply drove supplies back and forth to the site were at no risk for exposure.
In September 2003, the water treatment plant site grounds were cleaned and covered with asphalt. In October 2003, the U.S. Army assessed the environmental contamination levels and evaluated most of the Servicemembers present at that time. The results indicated low risks for health-related problems for these Servicemembers. However, the amount of exposure of those Servicemembers present before the U.S. Army’s assessment is uncertain. Therefore, it is difficult to determine an individual’s level of risk.
Health effects of exposure to chromium
Prolonged exposure to breathing high concentrations of chromium over months or years is known to cause lung cancer when the levels in the air are many times higher than those found in the natural environment. Exposure to chromium for short periods usually does not cause cancer.
Symptoms: Exposure to chromium can cause nasal irritations such as runny or itchy nose, sneezing, nosebleeds, nasal ulcers and holes in the nasal septum. It also can cause respiratory problems like asthma, skin irritation, and skin ulcers.
The Environmental Protection Agency determined chromium in the air is a human carcinogen. There is not enough information available to link chromium in food or water the same way.
VA Qarmat Ali Medical Surveillance Program
VA has developed a medical surveillance program for Veterans who many have been exposed to hexavalent chromium at the Qarmat Ali Treatment Facility in Iraq. The program is provided free of any charge or copay.
While VA does not expect to find many serious Qarmat Ali-related illnesses, it is important to monitor the health of those who may have been exposed.
Veterans who enroll in the program will receive an exam:
- Complete physical exam with emphasis on the ears, nose and throat, lungs and skin
- Chest X-ray
- Pulmonary function test
If any abnormalities are found, the Veteran will be referred to the proper specialty service.
Enroll in the Qarmat Ali Medical Surveillance Program
Qarmat Ali Veterans should contact their local OEF/OIF/OND Program Manager to make an appointment to enroll in the VA Qarmat Ali Medical Surveillance Program.
Whether you have symptoms or not or are already part of the VA Gulf War Registry, VA encourages you to participate in this free program.
Compensation benefits for health problems
Veterans may file a claim for disability compensation for health problems they believe are related to exposure to chromium at the Qarmat Ali Water Treatment Facility. VA decides these claims on a case-by-case basis. File a claim online.
Learn more about VA benefits.
Chromium
The Qarmat Ali Water Treatment Facility area was contaminated with sodium dichromate, a source of the toxic chemical, hexavalent chromium.
Servicemembers assigned to the Qarmat Ali Water Treatment Facility may have been exposed to toxic hexavalent chromium from breathing contaminated sodium dichromate dust.
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) / Operation New Dawn (OND)
The Environmental Protection Agency determined chromium in the air is a human carcinogen. Prolonged exposure to breathing high concentrations of chromium over months or years is known to cause lung cancer when the levels in the air are many times higher than those found in the natural environment. Exposure to chromium for short periods usually does not cause cancer.
Symptoms of exposure to chromium include nasal irritations, such as runny or itchy nose, sneezing, nosebleeds, nasal ulcers and holes in the nasal septum. It also can cause respiratory problems like asthma, skin irritation, and skin ulcers.
- VA Qarmat Ali webpage
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/qarmat-ali/index.asp
- APHC - Qarmat Ali Fact Sheet
- https://phc.amedd.army.mil/PHC%20Resource%20Library/U_IRQ_Basra-Qarmat%20Ali%20POEMS%202003-2011(Close%20of%20BC).pdf
- For the most up-to-date information on exposure to the sulfur fire at Mishraq Sulfur Mine, visit: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/mishraq-sulfur-fire/index.asp.
- VA Qarmat Ali webpage
Get a Registry Evaluation
- VA Environmental Health Coordinator
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp
- Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) / Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) / Operation New Dawn (OND) Team
- https://www.oefoif.va.gov/map.asp
Contact your local https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp, https://www.oefoif.va.gov/map.asp, or VA Primary Care Team about getting a registry evaluation.
WRIISC Link
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC)
- https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WARRELATEDILLNESS/referral/index.asp
For evaluation for difficult-to-diagnose conditions, contact your local https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WARRELATEDILLNESS/referral/index.asp.
Qarmat Ali Information and Link
- Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) / Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Clinical Coordinator
- https://www.oefoif.va.gov/map.asp
VA has set up a free, special medical surveillance program to monitor the health of Veterans who were at Qarmat Ali. Contact your local https://www.oefoif.va.gov/map.asp to make an appointment to enroll in the program.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
VA presumes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosed in all Veterans who had 90 days or more continuous active military service is related to their service.
1900 2100 1910 2110 All Conflicts Southwest Asia
Gulf War (Medically Unexplained Illnesses)
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/benefits/index.asp
Gulf War Veterans with the following presumptive illnesses do not need to prove a connection with their military service in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations if they appear by December 31, 2016 and are at least 10 percent disabling. They may be eligible for disability compensation if they have a service-connected condition and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. These conditions include:
Medically unexplained illnesses (popularly called 'Gulf War Syndrome')
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - a condition of long-term and severe fatigue that is not relieved by rest and is not directly caused by other conditions.
- Fibromyalgia - a condition characterized by widespread muscle pain. Other symptoms may include insomnia, morning stiffness, headache, and memory problems.
- Functional gastrointestinal disorders - a group of conditions marked by chronic or recurrent symptoms related to any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Examples include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia, and functional abdominal pain syndrome.
- Undiagnosed illnesses - symptoms may include but are not limited to: abnormal weight loss, fatigue, cardiovascular disease, muscle and joint pain, headache, menstrual disorders, neurological and psychological problems, skin conditions, respiratory disorders, and sleep disturbances
*These conditions are not necessarily associated with any specific exposure, but have been determined to be associated with service in Southwest Asia. The policy also provides compensation for certain infectious diseases.
*For more information, visit: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/benefits/index.asp
1900 2100 Gulf War, Operation Joint Endeavor (OJE), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Southwest Asia
Case-by-Case Compensation
When no presumed service connection has been established by law, Veterans may file a claim for disability compensation for health problems they believe are related to their exposures during military service. VA decides these claims on a case-by-case basis.
1900 2100 All Conflicts All Locations
Healthcare - Basic Eligibility
If you served in the active military service and were separated under any condition other than dishonorable, you may qualify for VA health care benefits. Current and former members of the Reserves or National Guard who were called to active duty by a federal order and completed the full period for which they were called or ordered to active duty may be eligible for VA health benefits as well. Most Veterans who enlisted after September 7, 1980, or entered active duty after October 16, 1981, must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty in order to be eligible.
1900 2100 All Conflicts All Locations
Healthcare - Enhanced Eligibility
Certain Veterans may be afforded enhanced eligibility status when applying and enrolling in the VA health care system. Veterans who:
1900 2100 All Conflicts All Locations
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
When a Veteran of any period of service receives a valid diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), service connection may be granted if the illness is associated with an in-service stressful event.
1900 2100 All Conflicts All Locations
Gulf War Registry
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/benefits/registry-exam.asp
Veterans who served in the Gulf during the 1990-1991 Gulf War, Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn are eligible for the Gulf War Registry examination.
- For more information, visit: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/benefits/registry-exam.asp
1990 1991 2001 2100 Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Southwest Asia
Qarmat Ali Medical Surveillance
- https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/qarmat-ali/index.asp
VA has developed a medical surveillance program for Veterans who many have been exposed to hexavalent chromium at the Qarmat Ali Treatment Facility in Iraq.
- For more information, visit: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/qarmat-ali/index.asp
2003 2005 Operation Joint Endeavor (OJE) Southwest Asia
Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry
- https://veteran.mobilehealth.va.gov/AHBurnPitRegistry/
- http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/action-plan.asp
Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry: VA's Office of Public Health has established a registry for individuals concerned about exposure to airborne hazards during recent deployments. To be eligible, you must be a Veteran or Servicemember who deployed to contingency operations in Southwest Asia at any time on or after August 2, 1990 (as defined in 38 CFR 3.317(e)(2)), or Afghanistan or Djibouti on or after September 11, 2001. These regions include the following countries, bodies of water, and the airspace above these locations:
- Iraq
- Afghanistan
- Kuwait
- Saudi Arabia
- Bahrain
- Djibouti
- Gulf of Aden
- Gulf of Oman
- Oman
- Qatar
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Waters of the Persian Gulf, Arzabian Sea, and Red Sea
The registry consists of a web-based self-assessment to be completed by the eligible individual, which can be found at: http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/burnpits/action-plan.asp. Participants may also schedule an optional in-person clinical evaluation by a VA provider. Active Duty Servicemembers who would like a similar voluntary medical evaluation may contact your local military hospital or clinic and state that you would like an appointment specifically to address health concerns related to the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry exposures. Please note a medical evaluation is NOT required to be in the registry.
- For more information, visit: https://veteran.mobilehealth.va.gov/AHBurnPitRegistry/
1990 2100 Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Southwest Asia, South-Central Asia, Africa