Veterans and Agent Orange

Have U.S. military personnel experienced health problems from being exposed to Agent Orange, its dioxin contaminants, and other herbicides used in Vietnam? This definitive volume summarizes the strength of the evidence associating exposure during Vietnam service with cancer and other health effects and presents conclusions from an expert panel.Veterans and Agent Orange provides a historical review of the issue, examines studies of populations, in addition to Vietnam veterans, environmentally and occupationally exposed to herbicides and dioxin, and discusses problems in study methodology. The core of the book presents:What is known about the toxicology of the herbicides used in greatest quantities in Vietnam.What is known about assessing exposure to herbicides and dioxin.What can be determined from the wide range of epidemiological studies conducted by different authorities.What is known about the relationship between exposure to herbicides and dioxin, and cancer, reproductive effects, neurobehavioral disorders, and other health effects.The book describes research areas of continuing concern and offers recommendations for further research on the health effects of Agent Orange exposure among Vietnam veterans.This volume will be critically important to both policymakers and physicians in the federal government, Vietnam veterans and their families, veterans organizations, researchers, and health professionals.Table of ContentsFront Matter1 Executive Summary2 History of the Controversy Over the Use of Herbicides3 The U.S. Military and the Herbicide Program in Vietnam4 Toxicology5 Methodologic Considerations in Evaluating the Evidence6 Exposure Assessment7 Epidemiologic Studies8 Cancer9 Reproductive Effects10 Neurobehavioral Effects11 Other Health Effects12 Research RecommendationsAppendixesA: Information Gathering: Literature SearchesB: Information Gathering: Presentations to the Committee and Outside MeetingsC: Methodologic Observations on the Ranch Hand StudyD: Committee and Staff BiographiesE: Author Index, Chapters 7-11GlossaryAcronyms and AbbreviationsIndex