Veterans exposed to Agent Orange in contaminated C-123 aircraft

From 1971-1982 Air Force reservists, who flew in about 34 dioxin-contaminated aircraft used to spray Agent Orange and returned to the US following discontinuation of the herbicide spraying operations in the Vietnam War, were exposed greater levels of dioxin than previously acknowledged, according to a study published Feb 21 in the Environmental Research Journal. "These findings are important because they describe a previously unrecognized source of exposure to dioxin that has health significance to those who engaged in the transport work using these aircraft," says lead investigator Peter A. Lurker, PhD, PE, CIH, an environmental engineer with many years of experience evaluating environmental exposures in the Air Force.

Continue Learning>>>http://www.wadenapj.com/content/veterans-exposed-agent-orange-contaminated-c-123-aircraft

Agent Orange curse continues to live on

C-123 “Provider” aircraft were used to spray Agent Orange during the war, and between 1972 and 1982 were flown by USAF Reserve squadrons. Many of those reserve aircrew persons are now developing Agent Orange-related symptoms. VA refuses all medical care. That, despite studies by Columbia University and the Centers for Disease Control (among other agencies and experts) confirming the reserve aircrews’ exposure to Agent Orange residue.

Continue Learning>>>http://www.citizen-times.com/story/opinion/readers/2014/04/25/agent-orange-curse-continues-live/8152995/

Panel to Study at Agent Orange Residue Exposure

Fred Berman, director of the Toxicology Information Center at Oregon Health and Science University, said the VA "established new laws of chemistry" in denying the C-123 veterans' exposure claims.

In response, he and others co-authored a study in the April issue of the journal Environmental Research that concluded dioxin levels in the aircraft after the war were "likely to have exceeded several available exposure guidelines."

Continue Learning>>>http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/panel-study-agent-orange-residue-exposure-23717310

Agent Orange curse continues to live on

C-123 “Provider” aircraft were used to spray Agent Orange during the war, and between 1972 and 1982 were flown by USAF Reserve squadrons. Many of those reserve aircrew persons are now developing Agent Orange-related symptoms. VA refuses all medical care. That, despite studies by Columbia University and the Centers for Disease Control (among other agencies and experts) confirming the reserve aircrews’ exposure to Agent Orange residue.

Continue Learning>>>http://www.citizen-times.com/story/opinion/readers/2014/04/25/agent-orange-curse-continues-live/8152995/

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