Toxicant exposures and health symptoms in military pesticide applicators from the 1991 Gulf War

Abstract: Objective: The chronic impact of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and other toxicants on Gulf War (GW) veterans' health symptoms is unclear. Methods: Building on reports of adverse neuropsychological outcomes in GW pesticide applicators exposed to pesticides and pyridostigmine bromide, we now report on health symptoms in this group. Results: In adjusted analyses, applicators with high exposures/impact to pesticides reported significantly more symptoms (18/34 symptoms) than applicators with lower exposures/impact and were more likely to meet modified Kansas and CDC Gulf War Illness criteria. The high pyridostigmine bromide exposure/impact group was 3 times more likely to report irregular heart rates. With regard to specific pesticide types, fly baits, pest strips, and delousers were the most associated with increased health symptom reporting. Conclusions: These results suggest that GW veterans with high acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and organochlorine exposures are most at risk for chronic health symptoms.

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