Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay's Commanding Officer, Capt. David Culpepper, spoke today at a town hall as part of an ongoing effort to keep personnel informed of the current public health review taking place as a result of a concern that was brought to leadership's attention alleging that military and civilian personnel who worked at the Commissions area of Guantanamo Bay were likely exposed to carcinogens.

Culpepper reviewed the timeline of information with the approximate 56 attendees, and explained what is being done.

"On Tuesday a team of public health professionals from the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center arrived here at the base," said Culpepper. "They are supporting the review which includes an occupational and environmental health survey, a public health review, and a medical records check. The team is already at work."

While a timeline for when results will be available is not known, the public health team, lead by Dr. Paul Gillooly, from the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center, emphasized the need to allow the process to take its course. "A public health review involves a variety of efforts, so we don't want to rush the process. We want to be deliberate with every step," said Gillooly.

Culpepper emphasized during the town hall that the health and safety of personnel at the base is a priority and that regular updates would be provided through town halls, the command website and the weekly base newspaper, The Guantanamo Gazette.

"We are in front of this issue and will do our very best to keep everyone informed," Culpepper said.

For more information, about the ongoing public health review, visit http://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrse/installations/ns_guantanamo_bay.html