Study Finds Chemical Exposure Behind Gulf War Illness

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, reported Monday that exposure to nerve agents, pesticides and various other toxic chemicals might be to blame for the chronic Gulf War illness that affects up to one-third of Gulf War veterans. 

The scientists analyzed a number of studies and found compelling evidence that the fatigue, joint and muscle pain, memory and sleep problems, rashes and respiratory problems experienced by Gulf War veterans are due to exposure to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and organophosphates, which include nerve gas. 

"Convergent evidence now strongly links a class of chemicals — acetylcholinesterase inhibitors — to illness in Gulf War veterans," Dr. Beatrice Golomb, who led the study, said in comments e-mailed to Reuters.

Some of the chemicals linked to the illness continue to be used in agriculture, and for pest control, she said.

Golomb’s previous research had discovered that, in a practice now discontinued, pills known as carbamate pyridostigmine bromide were given to military personnel to protect against exposure to nerve agents.

For the current report, Golomb examined studies linking Gulf War veterans’ symptoms with exposure to these chemicals, and found returning Gulf War veterans who had been exposed reported multiple symptoms at a higher rate than those who were not deployed, or who were deployed elsewhere.

"Evidence, taken together, provides a case for causal connection of carbamate, organophosphates and acetylcholinesterase inhibitor exposure to illness in Gulf War Veterans," Golomb wrote in the report.

The study also linked the amount of exposure to the chemicals to how common the symptoms were among the veterans.

Golomb believes genetic variants make some people more susceptible to the chemicals when exposed, and that these people experience a higher risk of illness.

"A lot of attention has gone to psychological factors in illness in Gulf War veterans," Golomb said, noting that the ground conflict in the Gulf War lasted only four days, unlike the current conflict in the region.

"Psychological stressors are inadequate to account for the excess illness seen," she added.

Golomb hopes her study might protect troops from such problems in the future. She and her team are also examining ways to alleviate Gulf War illness symptoms among veterans.

The report was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. A summary can be viewed here.

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