Chemical exposures and suspected impacton Gulf War Veterans

摘要

Gulf War Illness(GWI)encompass a spectrum of maladies specifc to troops deployed during the Persian Gulf War(1990–1991).There are several hypothesized factors believed to contribute to GWI,including(but not limited to)exposures to chemical agents and a foreign environment(e.g.,dust,pollens,insects,and microbes).Moreover,theinherent stress associated with deployment and combat has been associated with GWI.While the etiology of GWIremains uncertain,several studies have provided strong evidence that chemical exposures,especially neurotoxicants,may be underlying factors for the development of GWI.This mini style perspective article will focus on some of themajor evidence linking chemical exposures to GWI development and persistence decades after exposure.