The Gulf War Illness and the Iraqi Population’s Forgotten Pain and Suffering, 2023, Moradi et al

[Hutan]

The Gulf War Illness and the Iraqi Population’s Forgotten Pain and Suffering, 2023, Moradi et al

Moradi, Faraidoun

Abstract
ABSTRACT
Exposure to chemical warfare agents results in long-term biopsychosocial complaints. A recent study has revealed an association between exposure to a low dose of Sarin and Gulf War illness in American veterans from the Gulf War. The prevalence of Gulf War illness has not been studied in the Iraqi population. In light of recent research results, Iraqi chemical warfare agent survivors’ multiple physical and mental illnesses should be highlighted. For this reason, establishing both legislation and medical commissions is most needed.

Web | DOI | PDF | Military Medicine

 

[Hutan]

This is a short paper, an article really. It says that some of the Iraqi population were exposed to chemical warfare agents including sarin.

Thirty-five years ago, on April 16, 1987, as part of a Genocide campaign against the Kurdish people in what is known as Al-Anfal in the then Kurdish Autonomous Region of Iraq (KRI), the Balisan Valley and Shiekh Wasan were heavily attacked by chemical warfare agents (CWAs). The Iraqi state deployed chemical weapons systematically against Iraqi citizens in the Kurdish cities and villages in Kurdistan in late 1980s. The act of war involved using different CWAs, such as mustard gas and nerve gas sarin. Several locations in Iraqi Kurdistan were attacked by CWAs during 1987–1988, some of them several times, especially the city of Halabja on March 16, 1988.

The author has cared for some of these people who have moved to Sweden.

As a physician and medical scientist at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg in Sweden, I have studied the long-term biopsychosocial effects of CWAs among survivors in Halabja, Balisan Valley, Siw Senan in Kurdistan–Iraq, and those CWAs survivors who have migrated to and resettled in Sweden.

symptoms include:

fatigue, memory problems, general pain, respiratory symptoms, ophthalmological difficulties, dermatological problems, sleep disorders, depressive symptoms, anxiety, irritability, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicidal ideation. These long-term effects have created difficult existential conditions and impaired quality of life

The deliberate chemical exposure caused 5000 deaths in Iraqi Kurdistan. The author notes that the coalition forces bombed Iraqi stores of chemical warfare agents, releasing chemicals such as sarin, and that subsequently its soldiers reported the constellation of symptoms that is Gulf War Illness. These soldiers were told it was all in their heads.

the coalition forces bombarded and demolished the Iraqi CWAs production facilities and storage sites. What is more, are speculations regarding the relationship between the effects of CWAs and Gulf War illness. Still, relevant governments, such as the UK, refused to acknowledge any relationship between the Gulf War illness and CWAs exposure during the first Gulf War. That is why the affected soldiers were not only ignored but also confronted with unlikely diagnoses and imaginary causes for their suffering, as previously outlined.

The author notes Professor Haley's work to suggest that exposure to sarin could cause the symptoms in the coalition forces. The author notes that there are Iraqi people who were exposed at the time of the bombing, and also the Iraqi Kurds who were deliberately exposed by their government. He notes the lack of literature about this problem and calls on the United Nations, specifically WHO, and others to take some action to investigate.

In light of recent research results, it is crucial to highlight and evaluate Gulf War illness among Iraqi survivors of CWAs who have been suffering from similar symptoms, such as Gulf War illness, but were neglected for years and often have limited access to basic healthcare.

 

[V.R.T.]

Do sarin and organophosphates share any chemical components?

 

[Hutan]

Yes, I believe that sarin is an organophosphate. Wikipedia says:

Sarin is an extremely toxic organophosphorus compound that has been often used as a chemical weapon due to its extreme potency as a nerve agent.

The method of action is to inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase.

 

[V.R.T.]

Yes, I believe that sarin is an organophosphate. Wikipedia says:

The method of action is to inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase.

For whatever its worth, my family home is right next to a farmers field where they grow crops. And of course they spray the fields with pesticides in the summer. And both me and a neighbour across the street have MECFS. Maybe completely coincidental.

 

[Hutan]

There's this article
Nerve agents

Nerve agents are highly toxic chemical compounds, including both naturally derived organophosphates and synthetic agents, commonly used as chemical weapons or in agriculture. They share a common mechanism as potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitors that cause excessive accumulation of acetylcholine in both autonomic and neuromuscular synapses, leading to overstimulation of muscarinic and nicotinic receptors.