Veterans and Agent Orange

Update 2010

Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 9780309214476
eISBN Pdf: 9780309214483
Place of publication: United States
Year of digital publication: 2012
Month: January
Pages: 837
DDC: 616
Language: English

Caption

Because of continuing uncertainty about the long-term health effects of the sprayed herbicides on Vietnam veterans, Congress passed the Agent Orange Act of 1991. The legislation directed the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to request the Institite of Medicine to perform a comprehensive evaluation of scientific and medical information regarding the health effects of exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides used in Vietnam to be followed by biennial updates. The 2010 update recommends further research of links between Vietnam service and specific health outcomes, most importantly COPD, tonsil cancer, melanoma, brain cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and paternally transmitted effects to offspring.

FrontMatter
Reviewers
Preface
Contents
Tables and Figures
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Summary
1 Introduction
2 Evaluating the Evidence
3 Exposure to the Herbicides Used in Vietnam
4 Information Related to Biologic Plausibility
5 Epidemiologic Studies: Compendium of New Publications and Background on Multiple Referenced Populations
6 Immune-System Disorders
7 Cancer
8 Reproductive Effects and Impacts on Future Generations
9 Neurologic Disorders
10 Cardiovascular and Metabolic Effects
11 Other Health Effects
12 Conclusions and Recommendations
Appendix A: Agendas of Public Meetings Held by the Committee to Review the Health Effects in Vietnam Veterans of Exposure to Herbicides (Eighth Biennial Update)
Appendix B: Short-Term Adverse Health Responses
Appendix C: Clarification of Cancer Groupings Used in Reporting Results, with Correspondence to NIOSH Cause-of-Death Codes and ICD Codes for Cancers
Appendix D: Biographies of Committee to Review the Health Effects in Vietnam Veterans of Exposure to Herbicides (Eighth Biennial Update) and Staff