Some Veterans may have been exposed to nerve agents during a combat or terrorist situation. The nerve agent – in gas, aerosol or liquid form – enters the body through inhalation or the skin, and interferes with the nervous system. Sarin, tabun, soman and VX are among the classified nerve agents.
For example, when the U.S. Army demolished an ammunitions depot in Khamisiyah, Iraq in March 1991 after the Gulf War cease fire, some Veterans may have been exposed to nerve agents.
If you are concerned about exposure to nerve agents during military service, talk to your health care provider or local VA Environmental Health Coordinator.
Symptoms of exposure to nerve agents
Health effects depend on the amount of exposure to a nerve agent. Symptoms of acute, low-dose nerve agent exposure include: runny nose, chest tightness, “pinpoint” or abnormally constricted pupils, excessive salivation and sweating, abdominal cramps, muscle twitching, visual disturbances, headache, slurred speech, nausea, hallucinations and confusion.
Symptoms of acute, high-dose nerve agents include: coughing and breathing problems, loss of consciousness, seizures, paralysis, and coma and potentially death from respiratory/nervous system failure.
These initial symptoms of nerve agent toxicity occur with minutes to hours of the exposure. Fatigue, irritability, nervousness, and memory deficits may persist as long as six weeks after the exposure. Those with mild-to-moderate nerve agent exposure usually recover completely.
Learn more about nerve agents and symptoms of exposure from The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
Health concerns?
If you are concerned about exposure to nerve agents during military service, talk to your health care provider or local VA Environmental Health Coordinator.
Veterans not enrolled in the VA health care system, find out if you qualify for VA health care.
VA benefits
Veterans may be eligible for VA disability compensation benefits and health care benefits for health problems associated with exposure to nerve agents during military service.
Veterans' dependents and survivors also may be eligible for benefits. Read Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors to learn more.
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