By KUNA
Washington : Exposure to nerve gas and pesticides and other chemicals resulted in chronic, multi-symptom illnesses found in soldiers who returned from the first Gulf War, according to a new study released Monday.
The study released early Tuesday and published by the University of California, San Diego, found that veterans who fought in the 1990-1991 Gulf War had a higher rate of chronic multi-symptom health problems compared to other soldiers, due to exposure to a class of chemicals known as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and organophosphates, which includes nerve gas chemicals.
In addition, the study found that the same pesticides, aggressively used to control sand flies and other insects, fell under the same category of chemicals as did the carbamate pyridostigmine bromide pills given to soldiers to protect against potential nerve-agent exposure.
The study linked exposure to each of these chemicals with the chronic, multi-symptom health problems in 25 to 33 percent of returning Gulf War veterans, who have reported chronic fatigue, muscle and joint pain, memory problems, dizziness, trouble sleeping, shortness of breath, and even insulin resistance.
“Health issues among Gulf War veterans have been a concern for nearly two decades.
“Now, enough studies have been conducted, and results shared, to be able to say with considerable confidence that there is a link between chemical exposure and chronic, multi-symptom health problems,” said Beatrice Golomb, M. D., Ph.D., of the UC San Diego School of Medicine, whose study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Golomb found a link between the amount of chemical exposure and how common symptoms were in these veterans.
She suggested genetic variants made some people more susceptible to illness from chemical exposure, and these people had a higher risk of illness.
“There is evidence that genetics have something to do with how a body handles exposure to these chemicals. Some people are genetically less able to withstand these toxins and evidence shows that these individuals have higher chance of suffering the effects of exposure,” said Golomb.
She pointed out that “the same chemicals affecting Gulf War veterans may be involved in similar cases of unexplained, multi-symptom health problems in the general population” through exposure to certain pesticides, known as organophosphate pesticides, used in agriculture, and at homes and offices for pest control in the US and world-wide.
“These findings carry important implications for current members of the armed forces as well as the general public, suggesting that exposure to these pesticides in any setting may increase risk for impaired neuropsychological function and poor health,” said Golomb.