In 1998, the IOM began a series of congressionally-mandated studies to examine the scientific and medical literature on the potential health effects of chemical and biological agents related to the 1991Gulf War. The first study reviewed the scientific literature on depleted uranium, chemical warfare agents (sarin and cyclosarin), pyridostigmine bromide, and vaccines (anthrax and botulinum toxoid) and resulted in the report, Gulf War and Health Volume 1: Depleted Uranium, Pyridostigimine Bromide, Sarin, Vaccines.

In February 2001, the IOM convened a subsequent committee, to examine the health effects associated with exposure to pesticides and solvents. This study resulted in the report Gulf War and Health: Volume 2: Insecticides and Solvents.

In March 2003, a third committee was convened to conduct a review of the peer-reviewed literature on the long-term, human health effects associated with exposure to selected environmental agents, pollutants, and synthetic chemical compounds believed to have been present during the 1991 Gulf War including hydrazines, red fuming nitric acid, hydrogen sulfide, oil-fire byproducts, diesel-heater fumes, and fuels (for example, jet fuel and gasoline).  This study resulted in the report Gulf War and Health, Volume 3: Fuels, Combustion Products, and Propellants.

In January of 2005, a fourth committee was convened to review, evaluate, and summarize peer-reviewed scientific and medical literature addressing the overall health status of Gulf War veterans, to see what this literature collectively shows about the prevalence of veterans' symptoms and illnesses. This study resulted in the report Gulf War and Health, Volume 4: Health Effects of Serving in the Gulf War.

In March of 2005, the IOM convened a fifth committee to review, evaluate, and summarize the peer-reviewed scientific and medical literature on long-term adverse human health effects associated with selected infectious diseases (such as diseases caused by pathogenic Escherichia coli, shigellosis, leishmaniasis, and sandfly fever) pertinent to Gulf War veterans, as well as to veterans of the current conflicts (Operation Iraqi Freedom; Operation Enduring Freedom). This study resulted in the report Gulf War and Health, Volume 5: Infectious Diseases.

In May of 2005, a sixth committee was convened to comprehensively review, evaluate, and summarize the peer-reviewed scientific and medical literature regarding the association between stress and long-term adverse health effects (physiologic, psychologic, and psychosocial) in Gulf War veterans. This study’s findings are not only limited to veterans of the 1991 Gulf War conflict but are applicable to veterans of the current conflict (Operation Iraqi Freedom; Operation Enduring Freedom). This study is ongoing. See the Gulf War and Health: Physiologic, Psychologic, and Psychosocial Effects of Deployment Related Stress page for more information on this study.

In March 2007, IOM convened a committee to conduct a study on potential human health effects from exposure to depleted uranium. The committee is reviewing, evaluating, and summarizing the scientific literature regarding the association between exposure to depleted uranium and long-term human health effects. The study committee is incorporating literature published since the IOM's 2000 report, Gulf War and Health, Volume 1: Depleted Uranium, Pyridostigmine Bromide, Sarin, and Vaccines, was written. The committee is making determinations on the strength of the evidence for associations between exposure to depleted uranium and human health effects. The study findings will not be limited to veterans of the 1991 Gulf War; they also will be applicable to veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The committee’s report will be released in mid-2008.

In February 2007,  IOM convened a committee to examine the strength of the evidence for an association between brain injury and potential long-term health effects, and to consider the different types of brain injury and their possible long-term consequences.
The committee is examining the complications that present with traumatic brain injury (TBI), including, long-term health outcomes and other disabilities. The committee is reviewing the literature which suggests that over time individuals with TBI might develop Parkinson's disease and other motor problems, Alzheimer's disease, dementia pugilistica, posttraumatic dementia, and other health outcomes.