title: Chemical warfare and the Gulf War: a review of the impact on Gulf veterans' health.
abstract: It is unlikely that Gulf War veterans are suffering chronic effects from illnesses caused by chemical warfare nerve agent exposure. Extensive investigation and review by several expert panels have determined that no evidence exists that chemical warfare nerve agents were used during the Gulf War. At no time before, during, or after the war was there confirmation of symptoms among anyone, military or civilian, caused by chemical warfare nerve agent exposure. However, studies of Gulf War veterans have found belief that chemical weapons were used, significantly associated with both severe and mild-moderate illnesses. The psychological impact of a chemical warfare attack, either actual or perceived, can result in immediate and long-term health consequences. The deployment or war-related health impact from life-threatening experiences of the Gulf War, including the perceived exposure to chemical warfare agents, should be considered as an important cause of morbidity among Gulf War veterans.
authors.affiliation: Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Health Affairs, the Pentagon, Washington, DC, USA. james.riddle@otsg.amedd.army.mil
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Riddle
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Tyler
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Elspeth Cameron
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Ritchie
authors.forename: Kelley Ann
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Brix
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Romano
mesh_terms: D002618:Chemical Warfare / Q000523:psychology*; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007493:Iraq; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D012524:Sarin / Q000009:adverse effects; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014857:Warfare
chemical_list: D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D012524:Sarin