Gulf War syndrome ‘was not caused by depleted uranium’

Gulf War syndrome, which has left a quarter of a million veterans suffering longterm illness, was not caused by debris from depleted uranium munitions, according to a "conclusive" new scientific study.

Instead, researchers believe the symptoms suffered by service personnel since the conflict in 1991 might have been caused by exposure to sarin nerve agent released widely when troops destroyed caches of Iraqi chemical weapons.

The illness, which has been suffered by thousands of personnel from the armed forces of the UK, US and other allied nations, has caused a range of acute and chronic symptoms.

These include fatigue, headaches, joint pain, indigestion, insomnia, dizziness, respiratory disorders and memory problems, and scientists believe it appears rooted in neurological impairment.

Researchers from the University of Portsmouth tested sufferers to examine levels of residual depleted uranium in their bodies and they say their study "conclusively proves" that none of them were exposed to any significant amounts of depleted uranium.

Professor Randall Parrish said: "For decades, medics and scientists have been looking for the elusive cause of Gulf War illness.

"That depleted uranium is not and never was in the bodies of those who are ill at sufficient quantities to cause disease will surprise many, including sufferers who have, for 30 years, suspected depleted uranium may have contributed to their illness."

Prof Parrish said the most likely remaining causes for the illness are low-level and widespread exposure to sarin nerve agent released widely from the destruction of Iraqi chemical weapons caches in January 1991, possibly compounded by the use of organophosphate anti-nerve agent medication and the liberal use of pesticides to prevent malaria exposure to allied forces.

Prof Parrish said: "Being able to debunk the alleged connection between this illness and this radioactive substance allows the medical community to focus more clearly on what the likely cause(s) actually are.”

The Royal British Legion said research suggests up to 33,000 UK Gulf War veterans could be living with the syndrome