"Veterans and Agent Orange: Health Effects of Herbicides" Topic

… Used in Vietnam.

"The United States has been involved for more than two decades in a controversy over the military use of herbicides in Vietnam during the Vietnam era. The controversy centers around both the use of herbicides in Vietnam and the purported health problems associated with exposure to herbicides, primarily Agent Orange and its contaminant 2,3,7,8-TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin), known scientifically as TCDD and to the general public as dioxin1 (Young and Reggiani, 1988). The controversy is further complicated by public fears over exposure to herbicides and dioxin resulting from domestic herbicide spraying, chronic exposure to dioxin of workers in the chemical industry, accidents in chemical plants that exposed workers, and dioxin released to the environment from several sources.

This chapter reviews the use of herbicides, the early history of the controversy, the concerns that Vietnam veterans have voiced about health problems they believe are related to exposure to herbicides, the Agent Orange product liability litigation, and the response to concerns of Vietnam veterans and the public by the federal government, state governments, veterans organizations, and others. The events and issues surrounding the domestic use of 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and 2,4,5-T (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and occupational exposure to 2,4,5-T and its dioxin contaminant are also addressed in this chapter. As a result of several major events relating to dioxin exposure, the public became aware of the potential health effects of exposure to dioxin in tandem with the increased concern over possible health effects of exposure to herbicides sprayed in Vietnam. Researchers studied populations (described in this chapter) that had potential health effects from exposure to herbicides and TCDD, including production workers in chemical plants, agricultural and forestry workers, pulp and paper mill workers, and residents environmentally exposed in specific areas, such as Times Beach, Missouri; Alsea, Oregon; and Seveso, Italy. For the studies introduced in this chapter, the methodological framework is described in Chapter 7, and the results are discussed in the health outcome chapters (8-11)…"
Main page
link

Amicalement
Armand

Has any wargamer ever used a herbicide to clear their oh so carefully created jungle (and we have seen some great work here recently)? Somehow I doubt that.

This comes up frequently with Vets that have served in Vietnam. That I talk to at the VA, and other Vet organizations. I know some that are effected by exposure to Agent Orange. Some told me they are too far gone for anything to be done about it now.

I do remember watching the Congressional Hearings about this troubling topic. One of the scientist said it was never supposed to be used on our own troops. I guess they didn't figure that our troops may be breathing it in. Or walking thru an area that was sprayed with it.

I know of more than one Vet from my ROTC unit, long before I joined. That deployed to Vietnam who were running convoys and they were glad the jungle along the roads and trails were hit with Agent Orange. For obvious reasons, e.g. they now had longer FOF/LOS to see/engage the VC, etc. I hope to see them at our ROTC Reunion this Summer. But they knew they are suffering the effects of this defoliant.

This war had many repercussions for years after it was over. And it still does now for some.

Yep. Lots of dioxin [the most toxic element of Agent Orange] still around in Vietnam and will be forever. Still causing cancers, birth defects and numerous other effects and it's something like 45 years since it was used.

They removed a huge dump from near the airport in DaNang quite recently. Better late than never I guess.

Yes, I remember on a news report seeing about all the problems that Agent Orange caused to the local population. Along with our Vets. Just more lingering horror from that very unfortunate war …

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand