Fumes from military small arms lead to decline in lung function

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-09/elf-ffm090513.php

Public release date: 8-Sep-2013
Contact: Lauren Anderson
European Lung Foundation

Barcelona, Spain: Exposure to fumes released during the firing of military small arms can lead to a decline in lung function, according to a new study.

The research, which will be presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Annual Congress in Barcelona today (9 September 2013), suggests that members of the armed forces who are regularly firing small arms could be putting their lung health at risk.

Over the last 5 years, the armed forces in Norway have started to report ill health after live firing training. This new study aimed to characterise the health effects from the use of these weapons and investigate which components in the emissions were causing the health effects.

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