Health Concerns and Health Care
Fuel exposure may make you sick. It can cause headaches, nausea, stomachaches, and skin rashes. These symptoms usually go away on their own, but if they do not, see a doctor.
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Secretarial Designation (SECDES) Updated and Extended for Red Hill Fuel Release Health Concerns
Deadline extended to March 10, 2025.
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What is SECDES?
Secretarial Designation authorizes medical assessment and care at
Hawaii Medical Treatment Facilities
as part of the DOD response to the November 2021, Red Hill fuel release.
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To qualify for SECDES, a person must meet one of the following—
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Permanent residence in housing served by the JBPHH Water Distribution System between Nov. 20, 2021, and March 18, 2022
- Full- or part-time work in any facility served by the JBPHH Water Distribution System any time between Nov. 20, 2021, and March 18, 2022
- Attended school or daycare served by JBPHH Water Distribution System any time between Nov. 20, 2021, and March 18, 2022
- Current resident of military family housing served by the JBPHH Water Distribution System
AND
- Be experiencing persistent, worsening, or new symptoms you attribute to either the November 2021 JP-5 fuel release or current concerns over drinking water quality in military family housing served by the JBPHH Water Distribution System
"Everyone has a story that experienced the fuel release. Everyone has a journey; for some that journey is short, for others it is long, and for some that journey has not ended. I know that there are a lot of concerns and a lot of frustrations. We are going to do what we can to try to get answers no matter where those answers may lie. We do not know what it is like to be in your shoes, but we can be present, listen to your concerns and do what we can. At the end of the day, we can bear witness to what you have been through and resolve to take the information and try to help you. That will continue to inform what we do every day here at the DHA."
~Colonel (Retired) John Oh
Medical Testing
There are no recommended tests for persons exposed to the Red Hill fuel release. However, your doctor may order tests for any symptoms you may be experiencing.
Still Feeling Sick?
Some people exposed to the Red Hill fuel release have reported still feeling sick. Even after many doctor visits and tests, it's still not clear why they feel this way.
We know this is a difficult time for those who are sick and their families. We want to understand how the fuel release might be affecting your health, both now and in the future.
We are still looking into this public health issue and will let you know what we find out.
If you are a healthcare worker and you have seen unusual sicknesses that you think could be related to the fuel release, we want to hear from you. Email us at
dha.redhill@health.mil. Provide your contact information, and one of our clinical team members will call you. Please don't include any private health details in the email.
Long-Term Health and the Red Hill Registry
Long-Term Health
We understand there is concern about what may happen to your long-term health because of the fuel exposure. The research on the long-term health effects specifically associated with fuel (JP-5) exposure is limited. We do not yet know if there is a higher risk of specific long-term diseases or conditions that would justify screening to detect problems at an early stage. We also do not know how much JP-5 a person may have been exposed to.
If any evidence of long-term health risk emerges, we will inform the community potentially exposed to the Red Hill fuel release and specify what actions you and your healthcare provider should take. Everyone potentially exposed to the fuel release should establish a partnership with a trusted healthcare provider. You should undergo your regular check-ups and health risk assessments.
Understanding Your Health Registry Options
Independent Red Hill Health Registry - University of Hawaii
The University of Hawaii is creating an independent Red Hill Health Registry to track health outcomes of those impacted by the Red Hill fuel release. This opt-in registry will connect participants with services and track their health over time. The project is funded by a $27.2 million federal grant and plans to launch a formal online registration portal in late 2025.
Sign up with the University of Hawaii to stay informed about the registry's development.
The UH provided an update on the Red Hill Health Registry to the Fuel Tank Advisory Committee (FTAC) on October 9, 2024. This UH Red Hill Health Registry presentation and all presentations from the FTAC meetings are available at the Hawaii Department of Health webpage .
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Your involvement matters!
Your active participation in this independent Red Hill registry will be vital to efforts to understand and address the impacts of JP-5 exposure. Together, we can make a significant difference in public health and contribute to evidence-based decision making for health care options.
Red Hill Defense Occupational and Environmental Health Readiness System (DOEHRS) Registry
Also referred to as the "Red Hill DOEHRS Incident Report".
The Red Hill DOEHRS Registry was created after the Red Hill fuel release. Here’s what you need to know.
The Defense Occupational and Environmental Health Readiness System, or DOEHRS, is the DOD information system for known and potential occupational and environmental hazardous exposures.
Learn more.
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What is the Red Hill DOEHRS Registry?
Shortly after the Red Hill fuel release, the U.S. Navy established the Red Hill DOEHRS Registry and populated it with the names of people (including family members) living in a military family housing area exposed to the fuel release. DHA then added rosters of DOD workers served by the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam water system.
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Who is eligible for the Red Hill DOEHRS Registry?
DOD-affiliated individuals (military members, their families, DOD civilian employees, and DOD contractors) exposed to or at risk of exposure to the JP-5 fuel release in the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam water system through residence; work; or school or daycare attendance anytime between November 20, 2021, and March 18, 2022.
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How do I know if I am included in the Red Hill DOEHRS Registry?
In early 2022, sponsors of families in military family housing areas served by the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam water system received a letter notifying them that they were listed in the Red Hill DOEHRS Registry. If you would like to confirm that you and your family are listed, please email dha.redhill@health.mil and include your full name. Do not include any protected health information (PHI) or personally identifiable information (PII) as described in the “Contact Us" section of this webpage. Please provide a phone number in case we need to contact you about your request.
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How can I get documentation that I’m in the Red Hill DOEHRS Registry included in my medical record?
Everyone in the Red Hill DOEHRS Registry has the Red Hill exposure included in his or her VA/DOD Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER), which is the lifetime record of all occupational and environmental exposures. Even military family members in the Red Hill DOEHRS Registry will have an ILER entry for Red Hill. If you are getting care at a military medical treatment facility (MTF), the electronic health record system is called MHS GENESIS. Within MHS GENESIS, your healthcare provider can view your Red Hill exposure through a data link to your ILER. If you would like documentation that you are in the Red Hill DOEHRS Registry, please email dha.redhill@health.mil. We will reply with a confirmation and you can use the email as proof you are in the Red Hill DOEHRS Registry.
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How will the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) be able to see that I’m in the Red Hill DOEHRS Registry?
VA has access to ILER for veterans (but not for non-veteran military family members). VA clinicians, benefits administrators, and researchers will be able to see that you are in the Red Hill DOEHRS Registry.
Community Engagement Resources
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Red Hill Public Health Response Summary – This webpage serves as a comprehensive resource for the community. It provides a detailed overview of the public health response to the November 2021 Red Hill fuel release and a questions and answers section. This resource can also be used as a reference during community engagements and as a factual base for discussions on public health initiatives.
Stay Informed
Share Your Experience: Small Group Listening Sessions
Defense Health Agency Public Health wants to hear from you! Were you impacted by the November 2021 Red Hill Fuel release? We are hosting small group listening sessions to understand your experiences with healthcare and access to information following the incident.
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What we're looking for:
- Your insights on receiving healthcare related to the fuel release.
- How we can improve access to information for you and your family.
- What to expect:
- Small group sessions (4–8 participants), held virtually and lasting about an hour.
- All discussions are confidential – your participation is anonymous.
Interested?
Email us at
dha.redhill@health.mil, and an outreach coordinator will contact you.
Participation is limited to those who are a part of the Red Hill DOEHRs Incident Report.
Red Hill Health Webinar #3
Download the webinar slides.
Red Hill Health Webinar #2
This event was held on April 9, 2024, at 1500 ET. View the Red Hill Webinar #2 Recording*
Note: This webinar did not include slides with substantial content. All key information was presented verbally during the event.
Red Hill Health Webinar #1
This event was held on January 9, 2024, at 1400 ET. View the Red Hill Health Webinar Recording*
Download the webinar slides.
* If the webinar recording does not start automatically, click 'Watch on the web instead' on the page that opens. Then, join the Teams meeting (which is the recording) anonymously.
Email Updates
We'll send periodic emails to keep you updated on the latest public health information and upcoming events.
Subscribe or manage your subscription*
*Important note: Due to restrictions on some U.S. Government networks, subscribing or managing your subscription works best from your home network. For the best user experience, we recommend using a personal email address. Some DOD email systems may strip images and links, making it harder to read our messages.
View all past email updates sent to the "Red Hill e-Updates" email group using govDELIVERY.
University of Hawaii's Independent Red Hill Health Registry
Sign up with the University of Hawaii to stay informed about the registry's development.
Contact Us
Email:
dha.redhill@health.mil
We welcome your feedback and are committed to helping you with your health questions or concerns.
This is not a secure mailbox. Do not include PHI or PII in your message to us. Examples include—
- Social security numbers,
- Dates of birth,
- Health conditions, and
- Treatments.
If you have a personal health question, contact your doctor.
Additional Resources
FEDERAL RESOURCES:
STATE RESOURCES:
STUDIES:
- National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASM)
The NASEM is conducting a consensus study on the clinical follow-up and care for those impacted by the Jet Propellant 5 (JP-5) release at Red Hill. Once completed, the study will recommend guidance on clinical actions to monitor the health of community members exposed during the November 2021 release of JP-5 aviation fuel from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility into the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam water distribution system.
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Community health impacts after a jet fuel leak contaminated a drinking water system: Oahu, Hawaii, November 2021
Shanna Miko, Alex R. Poniatowski, Alyssa N. Troeschel, Diana J. Felton, Shireen Banerji, Michele L. F. Bolduc, Alvin C. Bronstein, Alyson M. Cavanaugh, Charles Edge, Abigail L. Gates, Madeline Jarvis, Nicole A. Mintz, Vidisha Parasram, Jamie Rayman, Amanda R. Smith, Jared C. Wagner, Benjamin G. Gerhardstein, Maureen F. Orr; Community health impacts after a jet fuel leak contaminated a drinking water system: Oahu, Hawaii, November 2021. J Water Health 1 July 2023; 21 (7): 956–971. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2023.109
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Notes from the Field: Self-Reported Health Symptoms Following Petroleum Contamination of a Drinking Water System — Oahu, Hawaii, November 2021–February 2022
Troeschel AN, Gerhardstein B, Poniatowski A, et al. Notes from the Field: Self-Reported Health Symptoms Following Petroleum Contamination of a Drinking Water System — Oahu, Hawaii, November 2021–February 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:718–719. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7121a4
