2-butoxyethanol = CFIDS - A primary cause of Gulf War Syndrome (GWI)

Margaret,  Thanks for the added info.  I do not doubt that this chemical can be involved in GWI cases.  Have you studied how people detox this chemical?  Maybe there is a liver disorder involved in these cases you discuss, so they do not detox the poison.  That would be consistent with some general directions in CFS.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

For example, are you familiar with the glutathione depletion hypothesis for CFS/CFIDS?  Glutathione is a master antioxidant produced by the liver.  There are many ways it can become depleted, including excess free radicals (from chronic infections, or a high toxin load), mercury poisoning in the liver (which blocks its production), chronic stress or anxiety, liver damage, or problems with availability of precursors.  The idea that glutathione depletion and related detox pathway errors are the ‘main events’ in CFS seems to be gaining support among some CFS researchers (but not all).  Perhaps that can shed some light on this situation, as no doubt 2-butoxyethanol would deplete glutathione.  

But there are many other conditions and exposures that can deplete glutathione and cause CFS symptoms, such as ciguatera poisoning, candidiasis, Lyme Disease, toxic mold exposure, a wide variety of chemical exposures, mycotoxin exposures (fungi), RF exposure (esp cell phone towers), heavy metal loads, hypercoagulation defect in the presence of certain chronic infections, mycoplasma, chronic over-exertion, certain parasites, certain viruses, climactic and geospatial factors, food allergies, neck injuries, highly stressful emotional events and even PTSD.  One common denominator seems to be that each can trigger glutathione depletion. 

-- Kurt

Reply  to your comments:

I firmly believe that 2-butoxyethanol or a complex version of it such as diethylene glycol monobutyl ether is the root cause of these ailments and these other causes you name are most probably side things that it causes.  It is a multi-faceted chemical that harms multiple body systems/organs simultaneously 

It is an autoimmune metabolic issue, and many glands and organs are affected & including birth defects of many kinds ... cancers, too (It is a teratogen chemical).  ... so autism, leukodystrophies, growth abnormalities ... especially diabetes ...

Many, many things are autoimmune, too by the way 

LIVER?  Of course.  Too, if I'm right that the red blood cells are immature, then the computer analysis of 'how is the liver doing?'  What are the White Blood Cells, etc?  Will not read right.  You have to take some tests (many probably) as they otherwise may seem OK or not OK.  This is a big problem as so many medications say to check liver, and if there has not been a 'correction' then damage can be ongoing that is unnecessary.

Check for acquired compensated autoimmune hemolytic anemia

WHY is it that some soldiers didn't get GWI?

I think it depends upon the job they had.  Those standing behind the missile launcher systems got sprayed with this.  (It is in rocket propulsion - maybe an ingredient in bombs to start with)  One soldier thought there was something like Corexit in the Arms Room .  Seabees would move the chemicals around & I would be especially concerned about moving Corexit (2/3 of Seabees interview of a 17,000 sample had the GWI)  Second hand solvent exposure is a big issue, too 

The literature says the chemical leaves one's system in 24-48 hours.  I do not believe that.  I call it the 'tornado' chemical.  Even if it did leave quickly, it leaves behind a great deal of health damage.  No one should die before their time for serving their country or being a hardworking person at home or for an employer.

Best help in my opinion is the glyconutrient food supplements and good nutrition.

Meds for the chemically poisoned can add to their chemical load and cause other ailments to start up.

Margaret

2-17-06

Is 2-butoxyethanol related to organophosphates? Since one genetic study of CFS suggests organophosphate detox problems, is there some connection? OR maybe some other type of detox problem? 

What must be explained is why only a subset of the GW vets got sick.

 Also, what can be done about this type of poisoning?

--Kurt

I looked into organophosphates  and of course there is more than one thing that could have harmed our gulf war vets.  However, for the symptoms that they list as 'gulf war syndrome' or gulf war illness ... organoophosphates are not 'the match' that 2-butoxyethanol is

Chad Pagel of Indiana shared with me by phone and by -email his experiences & these are some of the sources of GWI  that I feel would be THIS chemical's harm

He started doing VERY badly about 3 years ago, and I haven't heard from him in many months now.  This is how he was doing last year  & some of the thoughts that I shared with him

When his whole company secured the airport and their bowels became instant, watery diarrhea ... I strongly suspect that is an exposure to this chemical and since the Dept of Defense bought the Corexit product ... think it should be tracked anywhere and everywhere it is (38% 2-butoxyethanol is a 'ticking' time bomb - It won't stay in the 55 gallon blue barrels)

Everyone must learn about 2-butoxyethanol.  AND avoid vapors in one's eyes.

Wearing eye goggles that are air-tight could save lives .  Eventually the US Congress may want to ban it, but right now no one blames it for what it does:  this 'flu' is not the flu