What have we learned about toxic exposure when comparing Vietnam and Gulf War Eras?

SGT McFarland, please allow me to convey my deepest condolences for the lost of your brother-in-law. And, kudos to you sergeant for being there for your friends! I hear more, your reply is inspirational. I'm moved by the feeling that what has "been learned" is about the brotherhood! We have each other to understand that challenges serve to unite us in a way that is second-to-none! Man, I'm not blind to the bureaucratic barriers to navigating both the VHA and the VBA; but what we possess is the bound between combat eras's that continue to forge our brotherhood! Together we will persevere! Thank you for your post!

SFC Jimmy Arocho Thank you Brother! I am doing what I can, including being active in my local DAV Chapter, because if WE don't stand with our Brothers and Sisters, nobody else will.

MSG Mathers, thank you for sharing your personal story. It is reassuring that there is a healthcare outcome for Vietnam Veterans exposed to Agent Orange. It is an honor to receive your reply. Please accept my condolences for the friends you have lost. You are a patriot to walk back into the battlefield as a contractor, thank you for your lifelong service! You have served in multiple theaters of combat, that bravery! I deeply appreciate your point-of-view and I better understand that environmental exposure and war present complex challenges for our leaders.

SFC Jimmy Arocho - Thank you for the kind words. I do believe the VA will eventually treat and compensate toxic burn pit exposure once they can investigate and mark the locations of such activity. I can't see that happening any time soon until the country becomes stable. The Iraqi were't too concerned what they burned. My team operated out in the Red Zone for 6 months which I saw some things that were unbelievable. The Iraqi National Guard on the Iraqi side of Camp Cooke were't too environmental considerate nor were those in the International Zone. The army did make efforts to cleanup contractor sites. I think it will be a mess trying to figure the burn pit issue. However, There is no doubt in my mind that the burning of the oil fields did cause Gulf War Syndrome which is not one but a real conclusion. Sometime in the future, our warrior will be chair borne rangers controlling robots and drones. Until then, shit will happen.

MSG Mathers, I also share in the hope that Burn Pit exposed Veterans will receive the needed attention from both the VHA and VBA. Also, ongoing clinical research is "fully-involved," in researching 403 Gulf War related projects! Allow the science to drive the answers being sought:
https://federalreporter.nih.gov/Projects/topicClusters/?searchId=f88f37ed1a254f [login to see] 8e52391d&searchMode=Smart&resultType=projects&filters=&navigation=True

SFC Fuerhoff, I appreciate your contribution to my question. Moving forward, I feel that the days of denial are fast coming to an end.

They're still trying to deny the burn pit = cancer from OIF/OEF right now. "ThErE's NoT eNoUgH EvIdEnCe!" They keep saying. It's ridiculous.

SFC Fuerhoff, don't be discouraged by the obstacles presented to you. Develping cancer from environmental exposure is a critical medical challenge that demands "all-hands-on deck!" Remain vigilant in your VHA/VBA strategy. Maybe the checklist below may illuminate something that you have not yet exercised? Also, this may be helpful to other Veterans facing similar challenges: Invoke your Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT/PCP), ensure they are "fully-involved" in your healthcare plan, receive an evaluation from an Environmental Health Coordinator (https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp), follow the support provided in Transition Management Care (https://www.oefoif.va.gov), register for Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry/Gulf War Registry Health Exam for Veterans (https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/benefits/registry-exam.asp), request from your PACT/Environment Health Coordinator a referral to the WRIISC (https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/publications/gulf-war/gulf-war-winter-2017/wriisc.asp), weight the documentary benefit of volunteering in clinical research (https://clinicaltrials.gov), read and follow the Gulf War Newsletter (https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/publications/gulf-war/gulf-war-2019/index.asp). This following of a systematic VHA healthcare plan may result in the evidence needed to support an improved VBA claim. If needed, print the pages of the above listed hyperlinks and serve them to your PACT. I'd be happy to elaborate on any of the steps? [login to see] .

Thank you Sgt Hallock, I appreciate your recognition!

Please accept my best wishes for your uncle! He has the best patient advocate in you! Thank you for sharing your experience Sgt Langeland. In part, the exposure scenario's between the two era's appear administratively similar. Except that the Vietnam War was 50-years ago! The writing is on the wall for Gulf War Era servicemembers...

And now I know; your response is awakening! CAPT Ball, I deeply appreciate your taking the time to prepare this truly informative response! I'm saddened to read about the challenges that your dad encountered in respect to his exposure experience; tinnitus, really!? Also, insightful is the information about recirculation of toxins within the ventilation system of ships, this would place a sailor in a dire exposure scenario! Lastly, for well over half-century servicemembers have returned from combat with a host of illnesses that they will live with for the rest of their lives. How will the next combat exposure scenario be managed? Thank you again for your inspirational share!

CAPT Kevin B., the point that you made regarding mustard gas testing had me thinking that there may be a modern day equivalent, perhaps not to the same degree, but there is undeniable evidence that the veteran population is hands-down less healthy than our civilian counterparts. There are many veteran-specific public health related variables that could cause such a shift, from chemicals left on our uniforms during manufacturing to parts of our training that expose us to various toxins, and so on. However, secondary chemical exposure related to uniform manufacturing is unlikely in my opinion as different services source different uniforms from different manufacturers. We have to dig a bit deeper to uncover a unified military-wide basis that could result in the same group of symptoms regardless of which branch of service that one served in, and one thing immediately comes to mind!

To the best of my knowledge, every recruit that has served in the military has experienced the “gas chamber” during recruit training. The purpose of the evolution is a noble cause as it is to instill “confidence” in ones equipment so there will be a certain appreciation for it if ever under a CBR-specific attack. During this training evolution, service members are exposed to a controlled concentration of CS (orto-chlorobenzylidene-malononitrile) gas, more commonly known as tear gas. Tear gas is an irritant; specifically, it irritates mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, mouth and lungs, causing tearing, sneezing, coughing, etc. With a few deep breaths of air with your arms over your head, you will be surprised how quickly the CS leaves your system. Most of the immediate effects wear off within an hour (such as exceptional nasal discharge and profuse coughing), although respiratory and oral symptoms may persist for months [Karagama YG, Newton JR, Newbegin CJ (April 2003)], and it is recommended that exposed clothing is to be washed several times, not once. It is very uncomfortable, to say the least, but it is said to have no lasting affect on the recruit undergoing the training, or perhaps there is one and appropriate studies have not been conducted? I would opine that The Pentagon would have no desire to commission such a study as it potentially would (a) negate an important part of every recruit’s training, one that has become a time honored tradition, and (b) cause an amount of new claims with the VA at a magnitude never before seen.

Although described as a non-lethal weapon for crowd control, studies have raised doubts about this classification. CS can cause severe pulmonary damage and can also significantly damage the heart and liver [Hu, Howard (4 August 1989)].

On 28 September 2000, Prof. Dr. Uwe Heinrich released a study commissioned by John C. Danforth, of the United States Office of Special Counsel, to investigate the use of CS by the FBI at the Branch Davidians' Mount Carmel compound. He said no human deaths had been reported, but concluded that the lethality of CS used would have been determined mainly by two factors: whether gas masks were used and whether the occupants were trapped in a room. He suggests that if no gas masks were used and the occupants were trapped, then, "there is a distinct possibility that this kind of CS exposure can significantly contribute to or even cause lethal effects" [Heinrich U (September 2000)].

CS gas can have a clastogenic effect (abnormal chromosome change) on mammalian cells, but no studies have linked it to miscarriages or stillbirths [Hu, Howard (4 August 1989)]. In Egypt, CS gas was reported to be the cause of death of several protesters in Mohamed Mahmoud Street near Tahrir square during the November 2011 protests. The solvent in which CS is dissolved, methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), is classified as harmful by inhalation; irritating to the eyes and respiratory system; and repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking [Alfa Aesar. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 August 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2013].

I could go on, but I think that I already have a basis for a very sound argument. Considering that it does not take a lot of certain toxins to result in lethality, and how many bodily systems could have various levels of hypersensitivity, this is not a very far fetched idea. If true, it would be a monumental discovery that would yield various effects for many years to come. Please share your thoughts.

Best regards,

Jay

Maj Robert Carson, tag, you’re it! Any ideas on the subject?

PFC Thundathil, I appreciate your support and participation in my post. I totally understand and respect your peaceful approach to mitigating your service connected challenges. However, if you take a second look at current developments in research. Here is a GAO report that directs the VA to manage Gulf War claims: https://www.gao.gov/mobile/products/gao-21-253t.