some of the early potential causes considered were depleted uranium, sarin gas, smoke from burning oil wells, vaccinations, combat stress and psychological factors. the rac concluded in 2014 and had published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal cortex that, "exposure to pesticides and/or to pb [pyridostigmine bromide nerve agent protective pills] are causally associated with gwi and the neurological dysfunction in gw veterans. exposure to sarin and cyclosarin and to oil well fire emissions are also associated with neurologically based health effects, though their contribution to development of the disorder known as gwi is less clear. gene-environment interactions are likely to have contributed to development of gwi in deployed veterans. the health consequences of chemical exposures in the gw and other conflicts have been called “toxic wounds” by veterans. this type of injury requires further study and concentrated treatment research efforts that may also benefit other occupational groups with similar exposure-related illnesses."