Careful analysis of over 6,000 soldiers’ medical records has revealed that troops deployed to the Middle East are at an increased risk for developing allergic diseases. The comparison was made between soldiers who had served in the Persian Gulf and soldiers who were stationed stateside. "All of them say they didn’t have allergies before [they served]," remarks researcher Anthony Szema, M.D., of Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Northport, N.Y.
The numbers show that 9.9% of soldiers in the middle east were developing allergies or asthma while only 5.1% of homeland stationed personnel were experiencing symptoms. This ratio held true for both men and women troops and led researchers to ask why there was such a disparity between the number of cases occurring only in the U.S. versus cases with time spent in Iraq and its surrounding area.
The study was conducted after the Department of Defense noted that 13% of all medic visits in Iraq were for new cases of allergies, asthma or other respiratory ailments. After being discharged, soldiers were showing up at VA Hospitals with complaints about prolonged periods of coughing, stuffy nose and wheezing.
Experts say that much more study is needed to accurately pinpoint the cause of the pattern in developing new cases of allergies, but they do have an idea of some of the likely culprits. The tents and trailers that soldiers inhabit in the desert climate are often choked with dust contribute to general lung and throat irritation. Air conditioners that are used in these settings provide moisture that allows dust mite populations to explode. Another factor that may contribute to the problem could be lung injury due to the high amount of pollution soldiers have inhaled while in Middle East.
The recommendation made to the soldiers was to wear a protective dust mask for immediate relief– for long term protection against pollution an allergens, the use of HEPA air filters (like those made by Dynamic Air Quality Solutions) were encouraged.
To read the full article, check out CBS News.com.
My husband is currently stationed in Iraq. This article fails to mention anything about the open burn pit type of incinerators being used that dispels so much smoke in the air, the troops can barely see through it at times.