SCIENCE AND WEAPONS DAILY REVIEW

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00789065
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: September 26, 2017
• Case Number: F-2012-01432
• Publication Date: August 23, 1982

Approved for Release: 2016/02/23 C00789065
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2 SOUTHEAST ASIA: HIGH LEVELS OF MYCOTOXINS FOUND
IN VICTIM OF CNSMICAL WARFARE ATTACK (U)
An autopsy performed on the victim tends to
substantiate earlier conclusions that lethal
toxins are being used in chemical attacks in
Southeast Asia. '(S)
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SOUTHEAST ASIA: SIGS LSVELS OF MYCOTOXINS FOUND IN VICTIM OF
CHEMICAL WARFARE ATTACK (U)
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An autopsr was cnnducted by � Western physician trained
In forensic path4logy on a victim of a chemical attack
-tbat occurred in February 19$2 in Kampuchea. The victim
died ems 'tenth after exposure to a �yellow rain
incident. The victim end four Democratic Kampuchean
soldiers who survived the attack had high levels of
� trIchotbseene mycotoxins in blood and wine samples drawn
two weeks after the attack. The autopsy specimens
included the victim's !weft, esophagus, stomach, liver,
Akidaey, lung, and large intestine. They were submitted
to several US laboratories for gross, microscopic,
opethoUgical, and chemical-toxicological analyses.
The pathology found included: hemorrhage into the heart
- tissue with evidence of cell destruction and
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inflammation, cirrhosis of the liver, hosorrhage and
cellular destruction of kidney tubules, hemorrhage in the
bronchi, and congestion and destruction of the lung. lcs) '
A trichothecene toxin, T-2, or its metabolic product,
ST-2, was found in all the tissue specimens except the
liver. Dieciltoxyscirrcnol, another tricthothecene toxin
.wss found only in the kidney tissue. Aflstoxins were
found in the stomach, liver, kidney, and intestine
samples.
Control samples were negative for trichothecene and
aflatoxin mycotoxins and their metabolic products.
:11xamination of previous yellow rain residue from a
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different attack had shown high lev Is of trichothdcones,
but was mogative for oflatoxins. , z.
Comment:
MO results of the autospy provide objective evidence
that:
^ Reports trim witnesses of yellow rain attacks are
valid and that bleeding sometimes occurs in the
lung, stomach, intestine, and kidney or bladder.
-- Persons who are already dekilitatad, by malaria
or liver disease for example, have a greater risk
of death from trichothecene toxicosis.
� Microsoopic examination shows tissue damage
occurs in humans after heavy-to-moderate exposure
to trichothecenes. The damage is similar to that
found in experimental animals.
=INNIIIimmismApproved for Release: 2016/02/23 C00789065
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-- Microscopic damage persists over a period of one
month or longer.
� Trichothecenes are known to cause long-term
damage to rapidly dividing tissue. These toxins
accumulate and persist at least in the organs
that were eN.e:ined.
- Aflatoxln found in thq tissues may be a food-
borne illness and is not necessarily � component
of the yellow rain substance. However,
aflatoxins and trichothecene toxins act
synergistically.
In general, the data support the events reported at the
attack site. The soldiers were surprised but well
2overed by clothing, which reduced the effects of the
attack on their skin. Some of them were incapacitated
quickly due to inhalation effects rather than blistering
of their exposed skin, and the most serious medical
problems were found in persons who ingested contaminated
Material. Clinical findings prior to death included
blood in the victim's urine, kidney failure, fever,
jaundice, nausea, vomiting, and problems In the central
nervous system. Clinical findings also possibly Included
falciparum malaria. Survivors had similar, but much less
Severe, signs and symptoms both shortly following the thin
exposure to e chemical and in the ensuing month. -
In this Incident, the chemical was disseminated from a
device triggered by � trip wire that had been placed
along the paths leading from the bottle site. The victim
and Several others had become incapacitated and fallen
Into a small body of water, which also had been
contaminated. the victim reportedly had swallowed a good
amount of the water, and was the only death resulting
from the incident. (U)
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These findings strongly support our earlier conclusi
based on subjective medical data, physical sample
analyses, and reports from survivors of chemical att
We continue to believe that other chemicals, includin
other lethal ones, have been used in other attacks.
also believe the yellow rain substance includes other
pat unidentified, man-wade substances possibly includ
:lung surfactants, skin-barrier penetrants, and
-incapecitants; these views are supported by laboratory
-Alata rpm two or three samples only.
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