It is far from impossible, though, that CW agents were liberated by allied bombing of Iraqi arms factories and stores, and in the dry climate could have been widely disseminated. But there is a similar increase in the Halabja neighbourhood, where DU-containing weapons were not used. It could well be that CW agents, particularly mustard gas, rather than DU, are the cause of the Iraqi cancers and birth defects. Interaction All these toxic agents could interact. It is well known that when two active drugs are given in routine medical practice, unexpected harmful interactions can occur.
Interactions can be additive or even multiplicative.
No one knows at present whether DU can interact with vaccines, insecticides or CW agents, and it would be impossible to find out except by planned observations in war situations. Further studies needed The case against DU as a cause of Gulf War illnesses is, then, far from proven, and there are other possible causes. Further research could help to distinguish between them. In respect of the Iraqis, careful specialised cytogenetic and molecular biological studies might distinguish between cancers due to radiation and to chemical mutagens such as mustard gas. It is, though, hard to imagine these being feasible in the short term in the present disrupted state of the health services in Iraq, even if government authorisation were given.