Background

The Toxic Exposures Research Program (TERP) is a federal initiative to improve scientific understanding of the toxic exposures of experienced by U.S. service members in the line of duty. Areas of concern include exposure to herbicides, burn pits, radiation, chemical weapons, and other occupational hazards. The multi-agency program, under the leadership of the Veterans Administration, seeks to speed the development of treatments, cures, and preventions. The NSTC/JEEP Toxic Exposure Research Working Group (TWERG) has initiated the process of identifying research activities and strategic planning.

Legislative Mandate

In August 2022, Congress passed the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act (Public Law 117-168) or the PACT Act. This comprehensive legislation expanded health care access and benefits for Veterans exposed to toxic substances during their military service. PACT also directed the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in collaboration Federal partners, to establish a Toxic Exposure Research Working Group (TERWG) responsible for identifying collaborative research opportunities and resources relevant to toxic exposures during military service. This included development and oversight of a collaborative five-year strategic research plan on health outcomes.

The TERWG is co-chaired by VA, the Department of Defense, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The group has a dynamic structure, but generally consists of thirty-eight representatives and subject matter experts from eight Federal departments and several agencies.

Activities

In accordance with the PACT Act, the TERWG has developed a strategic plan to coordinate federal research to address data gaps on exposure-related veteran illnesses.