APPENDIX E-1
United States Senate
COMMITTEE ON BANKING, HOUSING, AND URBAN AFFAIRS
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-8075
April 15, 1994
Lawrence Livermore National Labs
7000 East Avenue
Building 345, Room 1122
L-371
Attn: Brian Andresen
Forensic Science Center
Livermore, California 94550
Dear Dr. Andresen:
Reference is made to the telephone conversations between James J. Tuite of Committee staff and Brian Andresen of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The Banking Committee has Senate oversight responsibility for the Export Administration Act which is schedule for legislative action later this session. As you know, many of the materials used in the Iraqi chemical and biological warfare program, as well as in their nuclear weapons program, were exported directly from the U.S. The Committee is currently conducting an inquiry to determine whether any of these, or any other hazardous materials from the Gulf War theater of operations, may be contributing to the illnesses being experienced by Gulf War veterans.
The following examinations are requested, in part, to determine what some of these exposures may have been.
Exhibits:
Questioned Specimen #1
Iraqi gas mask delivered to the Committee on April 15, 1994. This mask was in the possession of a U.S. Army veteran of the Gulf War. Reportedly, the mask has a yellow-color growth and when the mask was uncased on April 13, 1994, it caused several individuals to experience nasal burning, watery eyes, and facial numbness. These individuals also reported noting the odor of ammonia.
Request
Conduct appropriate analysis to determine what, if any, chemical or biological warfare-related materials, or other hazardous materials or substances might have contaminated this mask.
Questioned Specimen #2
Iraqi gas mask delivered to the Committee on January 20, 1994. This mask was in the possession of a U.S. Army veteran of the Gulf War. Reportedly, the mask has a yellow-color growth.
Request
Conduct appropriate analysis to determine what, if any, chemical or biological warfare-related materials or other hazardous materials or substances might have contaminated this mask.
Questioned Specimen #3
U.S. gas mask filters delivered to the Committee on December 3, 1993. This mask was in the possession of a U.S. Army veteran of the Gulf War. Reportedly, the filters are sticky and have a foul odor.
Request
Conduct appropriate analysis to determine what, if any, chemical or biological warfare-related materials, or other hazardous materials or substances might have contaminated this mask.
Questioned Specimen #4
Military dosimeter worn by a U.S. Navy employee during Operation Desert Shield/Storm.
Request
If possible conduct reading or refer for reading. If the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories cannot perform the reading, then the dosimeter should be returned to the Committee.
Findings regarding examinations performed should be reported only to James J. Tuite or to myself if he is unavailable. Questions regarding the requested examinations or the questioned specimens should be referred to James Tuite at 202-224-3162 or 202-224-7391.
Donald W. Riegle, Jr.
Chairman