Bill > HR4704

This bill, known as the ROTOR Act (Rotary-wing Operator Toxic Occupational Research Act), directs the Director of the Defense Health Agency to conduct a comprehensive two-phase study on cancer prevalence and mortality among military rotary-wing pilots and aviation support personnel who served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force on or after February 28, 1961. In the first phase, the study will compare cancer rates for covered individuals against the general population across 12 specific cancer types, including brain, breast, lung, prostate, and others, with a report due within one year of the Act's enactment. If the initial phase identifies increased cancer prevalence, a second phase will be initiated to investigate potential causes, including identifying carcinogenic toxins associated with aircraft operation, exposure to non-ionizing radiation from various sources like radars, and potential toxic exposures from burn pits, contaminated water, or soil. The study will use data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program and other relevant military health studies, and will disaggregate findings by race, gender, and age. The research aims to understand potential environmental and occupational health risks for military aviation personnel and will report findings to congressional committees on Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4704/all-info