INJURIES AND DEATHS FROM COLLECTING WAR SOUVENIRS IN OPERATION DESERT-STORM

Data were collected on 22 patients who sustained injuries or death fro m collecting war souvenirs during Operation Desert Storm from December 1990 to May 1991. Nine of 16 patients injured and 3 of 6 patients kil led were non-combat arms personnel. Non-combat personnel closely follo wed combat units, and subsequently were exposed to unexploded ordnance . Combat and non-combat personnel should be warned that innocent-appea ring material on or near a battlefield may be an explosive device. The y should be instructed concerning the types of ordnance used, as well as the dangers of unexploded ordnance.