American veterans warned about health risk linked to service in Persian Gulf

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The link between exposure to toxic element and mysterious medical problems experienced by veterans of the Persian Gulf War is gaining public notice.

Calls have been issued to American soldiers who served in the Persian Gulf during the war and who experienced or are experiencing medical problems since to undergo physicals at their local veteran's hospital.

Veterans of the Desert Shield and Desert Storm campaigns have until 1995 to register in a national U.S. Persian Gulf registry at their local VA.

Canadian veterans have not been issued such a call because there were no forward ground troops, said medical officer Cpt. Peter Short.

Canadian involvement during the Gulf war was limited to sea and air, with medical crews serving away from the line of action on bases that were not hit by enemy missiles.

But as many American Native veterans have returned to their often isolated reserve, they may be unaware of the call, said members of the Minnessotta-based Indigenous environmental Network.

Researchers now believe that ground soldiers may have been contaminated with toxic agents made of depleted uranium.

All veterans who believe they may have been exposed to any form of contamination must contact their nearest VA centre immediately and get a Persian Gulf physical.

If your local centre does not have a registry or if you require more information, contact Carol Picou, Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, 127 DaGame Drive, Universal City, TX, 78148 (210) 658-7870.

Or write to Military Toxics Network, P.O. Box 845, Sabattus, ME 04280,

(207) 268-4071.

The Indian Environmental Network Nation Office will also answer concerns at P.O. Box 485, Bemidji, MN. 56601, (218) 751-4967, fax (218) 751-0561.