Sad
story here I am going to read this entire thread in
detail. Thank you, 'Gulf War Syndrome' Vet for sharing it. If we don't learn from the
mistakes of the past.... history has a way of repeating itself.
In times of war I believe our troops are exposed to TOO MUCH
2-butoxyethanol. I believe it is in what you use to degrease,
and even what you use to clean your guns. There is a proprietary
ingredient, for instance in CLP that isn't disclosed. There are
some of the warnings with it that sound like what would be given
with 2-butoxyethanol... Also
Bore Cleaner
What may be safe enough with limited use, could be TOO MUCH
exposure when it is repetitive. Wearing chemical safety goggles
and chemical retardant gloves, at a minimum, would be necessary
for daily use.
Finally I have found some very current and helpful information
on what
to check the blood for. What has happened to the blood is
diagnosable immediately, as blood damage happens first. And it
lasts. So if you were affected by 2-butoxyethanol type
chemicals, you
would have these symptoms
If you have a massive exposure, then you will notice burning,
watering eyes, and a change in the color of your urine to dark
brown or black. And the very next morning an extreme exhaustion.
If that ever happens to you: Stop whatever you are doing -
because you may be damaging your red blood cells (hemolytic
anemia) http://www.valdezlink.com/gws_too_much_chemicals.htm
To go along with your other information, this shared by a French
journalist who is also interested in this topic. . . Feb/2003
info on what pesticides were at the Gulf War (I made a copy
in order to share it with you.) The
chemicals I have been concerned about are listed here. So
the question, from these sources, and others during the war, did
the troops get too much exposure?
Are troops today at risk for too much exposure to
2-butoxyethanol &/or Diethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether?
I am asking the Dept of Defense that question and just got a
reply. Of course, they think the gun cleaner is safe. I am
getting ready to reply; however, the Dept of Defense letter did
state: "We contacted the Defense Logistics Agency and the
Army Material Command, the agencies responsible for procuring equipment
and maintenance supplies ... "
...
(since they don't know the 'proprietary
ingredient' how can they state that the products in
use since the mid 70's do not contain these chemicals of
concern?)
'Margaret'
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