Depleted uranium not cause of GWI

In the 30 years since Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, veterans/researchers have sought to find a cause of symptoms known as Gulf War illness (GWI). The suspicion has been that depleted uranium used in armor-piercing rounds created a toxic exposure with long-term health issues. A study released Feb. 18 - from the University of Texas and U.K.’s University of Portsmouth - found that inhaled fumes and dust from rounds and tank armor are not the cause. “(D)epleted uranium is not and never was in the bodies of those who are ill at sufficient quantities to cause (the) disease will surprise many,” researcher Randall Parrish said in a media release. Suspected depleted uranium may have contributed, he said. Studies had shown up to 25 percent of 700,000 troops deployed in that conflict suffered symptoms including memory and concentration problems, chronic pain and nerve system dysfunction, as well as fever, night sweats and sexual dysfunction. Authors of the UT/UK study are more inclined to believe that low-level exposure to sarin gas may be the cause, along with anti-nerve agent medication and pesticides troops were exposed to during the 1991 Gulf War. (Source: Military Times 02/18/21) Study concludes depleted uranium doesn’t cause Gulf War illness (militarytimes.com)