In a report released in 2000, the IOM revealed that exposure to the chemical warfare agent sarin can cause short-term symptoms such as severe cramping, difficulty breathing, twitching, pinpoint pupils and heavy sweating. However, there was not enough evidence to draw conclusions as to whether long-term health effects are associated with low-dose exposures.

In response to veterans' ongoing concerns and recent publications in the literature, IOM updated its 2000 report. In the report, Gulf War and Health: Updated Literature Review of Sarin, the committee concluded that there is still not enough evidence to determine whether exposure to low doses of sarin are associated with long-term health problems.

The report was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.