WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- The Department of Veterans Affairs says it will study the effects of toxic emissions from burning trash at military installations in Iraq and Afghanistan on veterans , even after the Department of Defense has concluded no long-term effects exist . Studies of the smoke from the burn pits suggests it contains dioxin and other toxins . The extent of the VA 's intention was discussed in a letter to concerned congressmen that was sent on Friday and obtained by CNN . In the letter responding to the congressmen 's inquiry on the subject , VA Secretary Eric Shinseki said he shared `` concerns that some veterans could have health problems from such exposures . '' `` Our previous experiences with returning Vietnam War and Gulf War veterans show that we must take these concerns very seriously , '' he added . Shinseki said the Department of Veterans Affairs will study the problem as part of an effort to analyze effects of troops ' exposures in general and suggested it might even seek a parallel independent study . `` We are currently evaluating the need for an independent assessment by nongovernmental scientific experts to help us understand the health effects of various combat exposures , '' Shinseki wrote . Sources familiar with the plan said the VA is finalizing a deal with the government 's Institute of Medicine to conduct the study . The IOM did a similar investigation of Gulf War Syndrome and other effects from the first Iraq war . The emissions , from what are known as burn pits , have been a concern for troops , especially those who served at Balad Air Force Base in Iraq . Many soldiers who went through Balad became used to `` Iraqi crud , '' as they dubbed the symptom of excessive coughing and black phlegm . Soldiers complained of respiratory problems and skin infections , and in some cases believed they developed leukemia and tumors from the exposure . The pits at Balad were at one point open and burning everything from plastics and food to medical waste , sometimes with jet fuel used as an accelerant . In later years , incinerators were installed at Balad , but other bases in Iraq and Afghanistan still use the pits without incinerators to burn garbage . The military said last year that smoke from the Balad pit exposed troops to toxic emissions , including low levels of cancer-causing dioxins . However , its tests indicated there is no long-term danger , officials said . The U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine ( USACHPPM ) conducted a study of air samples at Balad after concerns were raised about the toxic nature of the pervasive smoke from the incineration pits . The air samples were collected between January and April 2007 . But the report admitted that it can not account for everything burned in the pit . An additional 107 samples were collected in October and November 2007 . The results of those tests will be released early in 2009 . Many in the veterans ' community remain unconvinced that burn pits were harmless . A group from Congress wrote to the Department of Defense and the VA demanding more tests . In his response , Shinseki said the veterans department has an ongoing study comparing 30,000 veterans deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and 30,000 nondeployed veterans . It is evaluating `` self reported exposures ( including burning trash and feces ) , symptoms , chronic health conditions , functional status , pregnancy outcomes and health care utilization , '' Shinseki wrote . Most relevant to the burn pit concerns , Shinseki said the VA will `` work with the DoD to obtain all relevant exposure data with the goal of establishing potential correlations with health problems among affected veterans . '' `` Our scientists will also review data gathered from DoD 's Post Deployment Health Assessment surveys , which ask about exposures to smoke from burn pits , subsequent symptoms , and a variety of other health related questions , '' Shinseki wrote . `` VA will evaluate the feasibility of monitoring toxic substances in veterans , although most toxic materials from burn pits may be eliminated from the bodies of exposed veterans in a matter of days or weeks . '' Rep. Tim Bishop , D-New York , a leading congressional agitator for further inquiry into this subject , said he was encouraged by the response . `` Since time is of the essence and the lives of our troops and veterans are at stake , we expect the Department of Defense will fully cooperate with the VA , so that these analyses can be completed as quickly and accurately as possible , '' Bishop said in a statement . Kerry Baker , with the group Disabled American Veterans , said the response is a start but not as focused on the burn pit issue as his group would have liked . `` This is a decent letter , but it does n't get to the root of the problem , '' Baker said . `` I would like to see them do studies on surrounding areas near burn pits compared to nondeployed troops . '' The VA 's decision to look at exposures beyond the burn pits reflects its experience looking into Gulf War Syndrome , VA spokesman Jim Benson said . The department recognizes that it needs to start now to investigate long-term affects for burn pit exposure as well as potential exposures that might lead to illness down the road . `` What we found is after the first Gulf War when a possible threat would be identified , the VA and DoD would go all-out looking at that particular problem . Now we are structuring a broad-based program that is n't going to just ask `` were you around burn pits '' but ask `` how is your health '' in general , Benson explained . In the meantime , Benson explained , veterans with health issues they believe are related to the burn pits will get the health care they need from the VA. `` The studies will provide us with the larger picture of the risks the veterans have gone through , '' explained Benson . `` We have the medicine and facilities to give them the care while the doctors are sorting out what caused what . '' Disabled American Veterans has started collecting information on veterans concerned with exposure . Its database of nearly 200 veterans with significant exposure to the burn pits shows nearly a third have contracted cancer and another third have developed pulmonary issues , according to the group . Skin lesions and allergy symptoms have also arisen . Benson said the VA has not seen evidence so far of significant levels of leukemia and cancer , but he said that does not mean the problem does not exist or may not arise . `` The key is the research needs to make that connection between the exposure and the disease . Some of those things do n't match up , but that 's what the research has to validate , '' Benson said . `` This does not preclude us from health care if they provide this is service-connected , '' Benson said . `` If something is wrong with you that is related or you think is related to military service , the doors are wide open , '' Benson said .
WASHINGTON finalizing deal with the Department of Defense to assess potential health risks . Decision reflects experience with Gulf War , spokesman says . Veterans blame emissions from burn pits for respiratory problems , skin infections . No long-term danger from smoke from Balad Air Force Base pit , military said in weeks .