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Relation of repeated low-level blast exposure with symptomology similar to concussion
Walter Carr1, Elena Polejaeva, Anna Grome
1Department of Behavioral Biology, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland (Dr Carr and Mss LaValle and Eonta); Department of Neurotrauma, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, Maryland (Ms Polejaeva); and Applied Research Associates, Albuquerque, New Mexico (Mss Grome, Crandall, and Young).
Objective:
To investigate anecdotal reports suggesting that repeated exposure to low-level explosive blast has myriad health impacts, including an array of neurological effects.
Participants:
A total of 184 anonymous survey respondents from military and nonmilitary law enforcement populations (135 exposed to occupational blast and 49 controls).
Design:
Survey of self-reported history of occupational exposure to repeated low-level blast (breaching blast) and symptomology similar to concussion.
Results:
Findings suggest that number and severity of symptoms increase with history of chronic blast exposure (F = 18.26, P < .001) and that symptoms can interfere with daily activity (t = 2.60, P = .010).
Conclusion:
Given the prevalence of repeated exposure to blast among some military and civilian law enforcement occupations, the results of this survey study support a role for blast surveillance programs as well as continued research on health impacts of low-level repeated blast exposure.
