The first international study of dioxin contamination, conducted late last year, has confirmed “elevated levels” of the toxin in fish and other animals at the Bien Hoa Airbase, urging an immediate halt to their consumption.
“Fishing and agricultural activities on the Airbase should be halted to prevent future exposure,” said Thomas Boivin, Hatfield’s Director of International Operations and Partners. He said though Vietnamese scientists have conducted a lot of research in Bien Hoa, this was the first joint Vietnamese-international study on dioxin contamination at the airbase.
Activists reiterated that dioxin contamination and its effects on Vietnam’s population is not the sole responsibility of Vietnam.
“The United States should be a significant player in the remedial measures that must be undertaken to right a very serious and significant wrong done to Vietnam,” said Wayne Dwernychuk, an Agent Orange specialist and retired senior scientist at Hatfield.
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