National Academies outlines timeline and scope for clinical guidance on Red Hill exposures

Elizabeth (Liz) Boyle, senior program officer and study director for a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine committee, briefed the Fuel Tank Advisory Committee on the organization’s study of clinical follow‑up and care recommendations for people exposed during the November 2021 JP‑5 release at Red Hill.

The National Academies study will review scientific evidence, assess exposure information, hold community listening sessions and propose evidence‑informed guidance for clinical monitoring and care. Boyle emphasized what the study will not do: it will not assign liability, make remediation or cleanup recommendations, determine who should pay medical bills, or conduct original toxicology or clinical trials.

Key points from the presentation - Sponsor and timeline: The study is sponsored by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The study team completed committee formation and is in an information‑gathering phase. The committee plans site visits and in‑person meetings in late June and plans peer review in October 2025, with public release of the committee’s report targeted for March 2026. - Scope and task: The committee’s charge is to review evidence on health effects attributed to JP‑5, review clinical guidance, consider exposure assessments that would inform follow‑up, and make recommendations about clinical surveillance, testing and research needs. Boyle said where evidence is weak, the committee will identify research gaps and make research recommendations. - Community engagement: The National Academies has appointed community liaisons, held virtual listening sessions and intends to collect community input through additional listening sessions, an in‑person town hall, and a community‑perspective survey to broaden participation.

Context and limitations Boyle stressed the National Academies’ role as an independent scientific advisor; the committee’s report will be developed at arm’s length from the sponsors and will undergo peer review. The committee will not assign causation for individual health claims and will not make cleanup or payment recommendations; its focus is clinical guidance and research priorities.

Ending: Boyle said the committee will identify evidence gaps and may recommend targeted primary research; the committee’s community engagement plan includes multiple virtual sessions, an in‑person town hall and a survey to capture perspectives from people unable to attend scheduled sessions.