Predictors for dioxin accumulation in residents living in Da Nang and Bien Hoa, Vietnam, many years after Agent Orange use

Highlights

• Blood dioxin levels were measured from residents in Bien Hoa and Da Nang, Vietnam.

• Blood dioxin levels were related to individual and environmental risk factors.

• Fish farming was associated with higher blood dioxin levels at both locations.

• Blood dioxin levels were positively correlated with living on flooded property.

• Da Nang dioxin sites are being cleaned up so exposure should decrease.

Abstract

Agent Orange (AO) was the main defoliant used by the US in Vietnam from 1961 to 1971; AO was contaminated with dioxin (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, or TCDD). Three major dioxin “hot spots” remain from previous AO storage and use at former US bases at Bien Hoa, Da Nang, and Phu Cat, posing potential health risks for Vietnamese living on or near these hot spots. We evaluated potential risk factors contributing to serum TCDD levels in Vietnamese residents at and near contaminated sites in Da Nang and Bien Hoa, Vietnam. We used multiple linear regression to analyze possible associations of blood dioxin concentrations with demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, and dietary risk factors for residents living on or near these hot spots. For the Da Nang study, fish farming on the site, living on property flooded from monsoon rains, and age were among the factors showing significant positive associations with serum TCDD concentrations. For the Bien Hoa study, fish farmers working at this site and their immediate family members had significantly higher serum TCDD concentrations. Our results suggest that water-related activities, especially fish-farming, at the hot spots increased the risk of exposure to dioxin.

Agent Orange Zone: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653514011400

The Vietnam War Toxin Now Lurking in US Food

Sign the petition to USDA and President Obama to stop Dow Chemical’s “Agent Orange” crops

TAKE ACTION NOW

It took years for scientists to fully understand the danger of Agent Orange, but that hasn't stopped Dow Chemical from bringing the specter of Agent Orange to our food supply.

Dow Chemical has genetically engineered pesticide-promoting varieties of corn and soybeans to survive repeated dousing with 2,4-D. The herbicide 2,4-D is considered to be the less toxic half of Agent Orange. But it's also the seventh largest source of dioxins in the environment. According to the World Health Organization, dioxins are highly toxic persistent environmental pollutants that "can cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and cause cancer."

Continue Learning>>>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elizabeth-kucinich/agent-orange-herbicide_b_5453812.html

Institute of Medicine - we need experts' letters of support, or interpretation

from Wes Carter, C-123 Veterans Association

http://www.change.org/organizations/c-123_veterans_association 

Portland's The Oregonian newspaper posted a hard copy of the complete Environmental Research article about C-123 exposures. The article details the exposure to TCDD by aircrew and maintenance personnel during the decade 1972-1982.

PLEASE: If you have scientists or physician educators who can offer expert comment on this, get them involved. We need support for this article, and for our exposures, before the June 18 Institute of Medicine workshop. As far as I can tell, this is the only juried article.

Against it, VA will use Al Young's C-123 study and the AF Consultative Letter. Neither was juried, and Young's was a simple review of his own conclusions, not new work. The AF Consultative Letter was partly authored by the lead researcher (Lurker) on the Environmental Research piece, showing he did not agree with what the AF did with their science.

Agent Orange Zone Blog at this link>>>http://agentorangezone.blogspot.com/2014/04/institute-of-medicine-we-need-experts.html 

Agent Orange exposure linked to nonmelanotic invasive skin cancer

Exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin, a contaminant of Agent Orange, appears to be associated with the development of nonmelanotic invasive skin cancer, study results showed.

The findings showed about half of Vietnam War veterans exposed to the herbicide developed that form of skin cancer.

"Although 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin exposure has been linked to many diseases, its influence in the risk of developing skin cancer in humans remains unclear"” the researchers wrote. "Our clinical experience suggests that exposure could influence the risk of developing nonmelanotic invasive skin cancer, perhaps depending on the duration and type of exposure and certain patient characteristics"”

Continue Learning:  http://www.healio.com/hematology-oncology/melanoma-skin-cancer/news/online/%7Bb6476918-4ed2-4077-a970-b20fb7057419%7D/agent-orange-exposure-linked-to-nonmelanotic-invasive-skin-cancer

Skin Cancer Risk Seen in Vietnam Vets Exposed to Agent Orange

Skin Cancer Risk Seen in Vietnam Vets Exposed to Agent Orange

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/health/cancer/HealthDay684322_20140207_Skin_Cancer_Risk_Seen_in_Vietnam_Vets_Exposed_to_Agent_Orange.html#xcTgg1w8ydeutEAY.99

Skin Cancer Risk Seen in Vietnam Vets Exposed to Agent Orange

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/health/cancer/HealthDay684322_20140207_Skin_Cancer_Risk_Seen_in_Vietnam_Vets_Exposed_to_Agent_Orange.html#xcTgg1w8ydeutEAY.99

Skin Cancer Risk Seen in Vietnam Vets Exposed to Agent Orange

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/health/cancer/HealthDay684322_20140207_Skin_Cancer_Risk_Seen_in_Vietnam_Vets_Exposed_to_Agent_Orange.html#xcTgg1w8ydeutEAY.99