Summer, 1990
Hired as a Research Associate with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Gainesville, Florida, to look at how insecticides work and how to improve their potency.
January, 1993
As part of a project looking at how Boric Acid kills insects, Dr. Moss mixed Boric Acid with organophosphates (which are similar to nerve gas), and found an interaction between the two.
September, 1993
Mixed a class of insecticides called Formamidines with Boric Acid and found synergism between the compounds.
November, 1993
Dr. Moss suspected that DEET (N,N,diethyl-M-toluamide), had actions similar to the Formamidines he was testing, because Formamidines and DEET had a similar potency, both were made more toxic by the same types of compounds and both were repellent. One of the types of compounds that made Formamidines and DEET more toxic were some organophosphates which are similar to nerve gas.
Dr.Moss heard press reports of ill Gulf War veterans and the possible involvement of organophosphates (nerve gas). His concern that DEET could exacerbate the effects of exposure to nerve gas prompted him to notify the Department of Defense, USDA, and a producer of the DEET-containing insect repellent about his preliminary findings.
November, 1993
Became aware that a chemical similar to nerve gas (Pyridostigmine Bromide "PB"), had been given to approximately 250,000 Persian Gulf troops to "protect" them from nerve gas attack.
Began conducting research on the synergistic effects of mixtures of PB, DEET, Permethrin and the Organochlorines, Lindane and DDT, and found interactions among these chemicals.(Publication #5)
November 24, 1993
His superiors at USDA threatened to terminate Dr. Moss' employment if he continued his research, or talked about the research. For details, see the St. Petersburg Times article.
May 6, 1994
Dr. Moss testified before the Veterans' Affairs committee of the United States Senate chaired by Senator Rockefeller. (Transcript - Publication #1) (Staff Report)
July, 1994
Employment contract with USDA was not renewed.
Spring, 1996
Conducted research on mice in cooperation with scientists at the University of Mississippi.
October, 1996
Publication of the "cockroach paper" in the Journal of Economic Entomology. This paper showed that the chemicals DEET, Permethrin and PB, when used together, were more toxic than would be expected from their individual toxicities.(Publication #2)
March, 1997
Presented findings of research conducted in 1996 at the meeting of the Society of Toxicology.(Publication #3)
For further information, see the Dallas Morning News article
August, 1997
Publication of the "mouse paper" in Veterinary and Human Toxicology.This paper showed that the active ingredient in the "nerve gas protection pill" (PB), becomes more toxic in the presence of a stress-induced chemical (adrenaline), and caffeine.(Publication #4)
Summer, 1997
Contracted to and wrote a report for the U.S. Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Special Investigation Unit on Persian Gulf War Illnesses. The subject was the interactions of the "nerve gas protection pill" (PB), with pesticides.
September, 1998
Publication of the Report of the Special Investigation Unit on Gulf War Illnesses.-- in (Publication #5)
September 13, 1998
Awarded the Florida Distinguished Service Medal by the Governer of the State of Florida for Meritorious Service to Florida National Guard Persian Gulf War veterans.Press Release
Winter, 2001
Publication of the paper "Many Gulf War Illnesses may be autoimmune disorders caused by the chemical and biological stressors pyridostigmine bromide, and adrenaline. Medical Hypotheses 56 (2) (February): 155-157.
2002
Confirmation that pyridostigmine bromide, DEET, permethrin and "Stress" (at doses similar to those encountered by Gulf War troops) can cause neurological damage.
2003
Confirmation that pyridostigmine bromide, DEET, permethrin and "Stress" (at doses similar to those encountered by Gulf War troops) can cause damage to organs other than the nervous system.