Veterans and Agent Orange

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. Table of Contents Front Matter 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