FINAL REPORT 18JAN93

File: 123096_sep96_decls1_0014.txt
Page: 0014
Total Pages: 55

Subject: FINAL REPORT   18JAN93                                          

Unit: VAR. BUMED  

Parent Organization: BUMED       

Box  ID: BX303801

Folder Title: VARIOUS BUMED DOCUMENTS FOLDER 8                                                                

Document Number:          2

Folder Seq  #:         12







             response B, does not indicate the sanitary conditions at warehouse sites).



             CONCLUSIONS

             1.  Marines in Group I who were stationed in Kuwait at the time of the survey

                 reported significantly greater proportions of wheezing, cough, runny nose,

                 and sore throat than Marines in Group 11 (who had spent a short time in

                 Kuwait) and Group III (stationed in Saudi Arabia). This constellation of

                 symptoms is consistent with respiratory irritation. Risk factors examined

                 in the survey, including smoking, history of respiratory disease, or

                 receipt of flu vaccination, could not account for the observed

                 differences. Conditions in Kuwait, where the Marines were located--

                 including blowing sand and dust, increased pollen from the agricultural

                 site and/or air pollution from the oil fires--may have accounted for the

                 observed differences. Marines in both Groups I and II did find the sand

                 and oil smoke moderately to severely irritating. High levels of airborne

                 particulates due both to blowing sand and pollution from the oil fires

                 during this period have been reported'.  The respiratory irritation

                 reported by the Marines in Group I is consistent with these measurements.

                 The limitations of this survey make a more precise attribution of the

                 source of the differences in reported respiratory symptoms impossible.



             2.  Marines in Group I reported a significantly greater proportion of

                 diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting, and bloody stools than

                 either Groups II or III. Differences in living conditions such as lack of

                 running water or flush-t-oilets did not appear to-account for this

ak occurred during this time in


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Document 55 f:/Week-37/BX303801/VARIOUS BUMED DOCUMENTS FOLDER 8/final report 18jan93:1217961126382
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-37
Box ID = BX303801
Unit = VAR. BUMED
Parent Organization = BUMED
Folder Title = VARIOUS BUMED DOCUMENTS FOLDER 8
Folder Seq # = 12
Subject = FINAL REPORT 18JAN93
Document Seq # = 2
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 17-DEC-1996