Clinical Findings In 111 Ex-Porton Down Volunteers

Abstract

To determine whether the health of Porton Down volunteers (PDV) has suffered as a result of their participation in medical trials, during which they were exposed to single low dose concentrations of chemical warfare agents. Methods ResultsThe diagnoses were not unusual for UK nationals with a mean age of 62 years. The majority of volunteers went to Porton Down in the 1950s and then had a mean age of 19. The mean time between volunteers attending Porton Down and coming to MAP was 42 years. We found no correlation between chemical exposures and later development of established diagnoses, a latent period of 30 years. ConclusionOn a clinical basis, no evidence was found to support the hypothesis that participation in Porton Down trials produced any long-term adverse health effects or unusual patterns of disease compared to those of the general population of the same age.

Visiting times

“…7 Even on general wards child visitors were discouraged because of concerns about "poorly supervised children" left under the responsibility of nursing staff or patients. 8 Evidence of the benefit to children of visiting is clear; children who visit critically ill relatives show fewer negative changes in behaviour and emotions and are more prepared for any loss than those who are not allowed visiting. 9 Not visiting also increases the stress and fear of hospitals.…”

“…A survey in 2005 during an open visiting policy found that patients and visitors appreciated flexibility of hours but preferred a quiet hour with no visiting, and uninterrupted mealtimes. 8 Conversely, most staff preferred set times with little flexibility.…”

“…7 An investigation of 111 UK veterans who had volunteered to take part in chemical agent trials at Porton Down in the 1950s found no evidence of any long term adverse effects on health or unusual patterns of disease. 8 Using records from the first world war we explored the ideas and beliefs held by servicemen exposed to gas but not seriously incapacitated.…”

Enduring beliefs about effects of gassing in war: qualitative study

“…11 Furthermore, an investigation of 111 UK veterans who had volunteered to take part in chemical agent trials at Porton Down in the 1950s found no evidence of any long term adverse effects on health or unusual patterns of disease. 12 Using records from the first world war, when chemical weapons had become an integral part of the main combatants' armoury, we explored the ideas and beliefs held by servicemen exposed to gas but not seriously incapacitated. To focus on the psychological effects of gassing, we excluded those who had severe disability.…”

Epidemiological data on health of military personnel participating in the UK's chemical defence programme

“…Unfortunately, the older US and UK studies have not yielded a clear-cut answer on the question of long-term harm. For example, Lee et al 14 devised a questionnaire self-completed by 111 members of the Porton Down Veterans Support Group and found no unusual illness patterns. Allender and colleagues15 did a bigger study with a response rate of 67% in men aged 67 on average, most of whom went to Porton Down in the 1950s.…”