Operation Desert Storm: Potential for Reproductive Dysfunction Is Not
Being Adequately Monitored (Testimony, 08/05/94, GAO/T-PEMD-94-31).
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.
--------------------------- Indexing Terms -----------------------------
REPORTNUM: T-PEMD-94-31
TITLE: Operation Desert Storm: Potential for Reproductive
Dysfunction Is Not Being Adequately Monitored
DATE: 08/05/94
SUBJECT: Toxic substances
Birth defects
Hazardous substances
Health hazards
Military personnel
Safety standards
Military training
Armed forces abroad
Ground warfare
Environmental monitoring
IDENTIFIER: Persian Gulf War
Desert Storm
Desert Shield
------------------------------------------------------------------------
We regret that electronic text of GAO Testimony is not available at
this time.
See the GAO FAQ - Section 2.0 for printed copy ordering information.
The FAQ is automatically retrieved with all WAIS search results or
can be obtained by sending e-mail to: info@www.gao.gov