Long-term effects of chemical weapons

• Published in: The Lancet (British edition) 2002-12, Vol.360, p.s35-s36
• Main Authors: Volans, Glyn N, Karalliedde, Lakshman
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological & chemical weapons; Chemical Warfare Agents - poisoning; Chemical weapons; Exposure; Fatigue; Humans; Illnesses; Military personnel; Organophosphorus pesticides; Pesticides
• ISSN: 0140-6736; 1474-547X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(02)11813-7

Nerve agents such as sarin, tabun, and soman, are believed to have the most severe long-term consequences. The effects of exposure to organophosphorus pesticides are very similar to those attributed to nerve agents. Animals and people who have developed acute symptoms as a result of exposure to nerve agents have been reported to have altered neuromuscular function, abnormal electroencephalograms, and impaired psychomotor performance that persists for at least I year after severe acute exposure. Other long-term effects include predisposition to convulsions and effects on behaviour, intellect, and memory, especially if the initial exposure caused cerebral abnormalities that could be detected with MRI or in an electroencephalogram. If seizures or other acute events were treated promptly and quick recovery followed, long-term neuropsychological sequelae (eg, deficits in verbal attention, visual memory, and visuomotor function) are less severe and less frequent. Impaired memory and fatigue have been described for up to 3 years after exposure, although by this stage objective findings are fewer and various diagnoses such as chronic fatigue syndrome and similar diseases with uncertain causes were considered more appropriate.