Operation Desert Storm: Questions Remain on Possible Exposure to
Reproductive Toxicants (Letter Report, 08/05/94, GAO/PEMD-94-30).

Soldiers who served in the Persian Gulf War have complained of health
problems they believe result from exposure to hazardous substances.
These substances include diesel fuel used as dust suppressant at
encampments, smoke from the burning of human and other waste with fuel
oil, shower water contaminated with fuel, drugs and vaccines used to
protect against chemical and biological weapons, pesticides and insect
repellents, and the smoke from oil-well fires. Some veterans believe
that their exposure has harmed not only their health but has lead to
reproductive problems, such as birth defects, infertility, and
miscarriage.  The military's studies so far of reproductive dysfunctions
among returning troops have been incomplete and poorly designed.  As a
result, questions remain about the extent of exposure and range of
reproductive problems among U.S. military personnel.  GAO summarized
this report in testimony before Congress; see: Operation Desert Storm:
Potential for Reproductive Dysfunction Is Not Being Adequately
Monitored, by Kwai-Cheung Chan, Director of Program Evaluation in
Physical System Areas, before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
GAO/T-PEMD-94-31, Aug. 5, 1994 (10 pages).

--------------------------- Indexing Terms -----------------------------

 REPORTNUM:  PEMD-94-30
     TITLE:  Operation Desert Storm: Questions Remain on Possible 
             Exposure to Reproductive Toxicants
      DATE:  08/05/94
   SUBJECT:  Toxic substances
             Birth defects
             Hazardous substances
             Health hazards
             Military personnel
             Combat readiness
             Safety standards
             Military training
             Data collection operations
             Medical examinations
IDENTIFIER:  Persian Gulf War
             Desert Shield
             Desert Storm
             Metropolitan Congenital Defect Monitoring Program (Atlanta, 
             GA)
             
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