Veteran Services Transparency

DU EXPOSURE

The 1990-1991 Gulf War was the first conflict in which munitions containing DU were widely used, and the possible role of DU in causing or contributing to Gulf War-related multisymptom illness has long been the subject of debate and controversy. About 320 tons of DU were used during the Gulf War and a substantial number of Gulf War personnel were potentially exposed to DU at lower levels, particularly troops who came into contact with vehicles damaged by DU munitions. The Department of Defense has indicated that at least 900 U.S. personnel were involved in incidents or activities associated with higher-level DU exposures.

Health risk assessments indicate that DU exposures at levels encountered by the majority of Gulf War veterans are not likely to result in increased rates of kidney disease or lung cancer, but have not provided insights directly related to questions concerning persistent symptomatic illness. Recent animal studies indicate that DU exposure, particularly longer term exposure to soluble forms of DU, can have adverse effects on the brain and behavior. Research in animal models has also demonstrated mutagenic and tumorigenic effects of DU that raise concerns, particularly in connection with sustained DU exposures. Studies of Gulf War veterans have provided limited information concerning associations between DU and multisymptom illness and other health outcomes of interest.

The extensive use of DU in current Middle East conflicts, in the absence of a widespread “Gulf War illness”-type problem in returning veterans, suggests that DU is not likely a primary cause of Gulf War illness for most Gulf War veterans. Questions remain, however, concerning long-term effects of DU in relation to other health outcomes, particularly among individuals with higher level DU exposures. These questions indicate the need for epidemiologic research to more comprehensively assess effects of DU exposure in Gulf War veterans.

 Interview with Gulf War Veteran, 2nd Armored Division

“After everything was over, we went back through the areas we had shot up and climbed all over the vehicles we had destroyed. We wanted to see the damage our tanks had done, and we were looking for souvenirs. I know of one guy who found a spent DU penetrator rod and kept it. I knew we were shooting DU rounds, but we were never told to stay away from vehicles that were hit by DU rounds. Now I know that we probably got DU dust all over us. But we didn’t know any better, and we were dipping, smoking, and eating without having washed our hands. Right after the war we saw lots of guys from other units climbing on the vehicles we had shot with DU rounds. … In April, 1991, while we were in Kuwait, I started getting diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, headaches, and tightness in my chest. My problems have gotten worse since then.”

 Interview with Gulf War Veteran, 24th Infantry Division

“We were in a congested area with burning vehicles all around. Suddenly, the tank in front of us caught fire. The ammunition blew, but the blowout panel saved the lives of the crew. We saw DU penetrators flipping end over end over our heads. We immediately rushed to the tank to rescue the guys in it. We were breathing smoke from the burning ammo, but we had no concern about DU and took no protective measures. Afterwards, we stayed around that area for two or three hours but we were buttoned up due to exploding vehicles and ordnance around us.”

Sources: Gulf War Illness and Health of Gulf War Veterans from the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses