Solving Gulf Syndrome

Contradicting several past examinations, a new study concludes that toxic chemicals sickened many soldiers who served in the 1991 Gulf War. Previous studies concluded that so-called “Gulf War Syndrome” was the result of wartime stress. The new report’s findings are especially important as veterans of the current war in Iraq return home, yet there has been no response from the Pentagon or White House.

The Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses, a group of scientists and military veterans, found that “a substantial portion of Gulf War veterans are ill with multisymptom conditions not explained by wartime stress or psychiatric illness.” The committee is finalizing a draft report, a copy of which was obtained by The New York Times.

The group reviewed past and current research into the soldiers’ illnesses. They found there is growing evidence that the symptoms have neurological cause and are likely linked to exposure to neurotoxins. Possible sources of such toxins include a sarin gas depot blown up by American forces in Iraq in 1991, pesticides used to protect soldiers in the region and the drug given to troops to protect against nerve gas.

The drug, pyridostigmine bromide, was given to soldiers headed to the Middle East in 2002 and 2003 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The committee’s report calls for a reassessment of the drug’s use.

This is a minimal step. Given the similarity between the two wars, solving the mystery of the 1991 ailments could go a long way toward helping soldiers who are currently returning from or stationed in the region now.

Nearly 700,000 U.S. soldiers were in the Persian Gulf during the 1991 war. It is estimated that 100,000 of them continue to suffer war-related health problems. The symptoms of Gulf War Syndrome include fatigue, memory loss, muscle and joint pain, skin rashes, nausea and infertility. Soldiers who deployed to the Persian Gulf were two to three times more likely to report these symptoms than their counterparts who stayed home. In addition, those who served in the gulf are twice as likely to develop amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, than those veterans who did not go to the Middle East.

Despite the prevalence of symptoms, a 1996 report found that scientific evidence at the time did not support a causal link between chemical exposure and the soldiers’ symptoms. The doctor who headed that panel told the Times that she was “open to changing her views” if the new findings were based on solid scientific research and not advocacy by veterans’ groups. This study appears to meet these criteria.

Curing the ailments of Gulf War veterans may not be possible. But working to ensure that future soldiers do not suffer the same fate is critical.