title: Relation of repeated low-level blast exposure with symptomology similar to concussion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate anecdotal reports suggesting that repeated exposure to low-level explosive blast has myriad health impacts, including an array of neurological effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 184 anonymous survey respondents from military and nonmilitary law enforcement populations (135 exposed to occupational blast and 49 controls).
  
  
  METHODS
  Survey of self-reported history of occupational exposure to repeated low-level blast (breaching blast) and symptomology similar to concussion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings suggest that number and severity of symptoms increase with history of chronic blast exposure (F = 18.26, P < .001) and that symptoms can interfere with daily activity (t = 2.60, P = .010).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the prevalence of repeated exposure to blast among some military and civilian law enforcement occupations, the results of this survey study support a role for blast surveillance programs as well as continued research on health impacts of low-level repeated blast exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Biology, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland (Dr Carr and Mss LaValle and Eonta); Department of Neurotrauma, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, Maryland (Ms Polejaeva); and Applied Research Associates, Albuquerque, New Mexico (Mss Grome, Crandall, and Young).
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Polejaeva
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grome
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Crandall
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: LaValle
authors.forename: Stephanie E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Eonta
authors.forename: Lee Ann
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D016495:Police; D055815:Young Adult