Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #120511

Arnold J. Schecter, MD, MPH, Ut-Houston School of Public Health, UT-Houston School of Public Health at Dallas, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, V8. 112, Dallas, TX 75204, (214)648-1080, arnold.schecter@email.swmed.edu

The largest known dioxin contamination in the world was from Agent Orange herbicide contaminated with TCDD, the most toxic dioxin, which was sprayed in southern Vietnam between 1962-1971. It caused contamination of some Vietnamese with elevated levels of TCDD, detected in human tissue samples. Dioxins are risk factors for a variety of adverse health effects including cancer, immune deficiency, nervous system pathology, endocrine disruption, reproductive and developmental pathology, elevated blood lipids, liver damage, skin disorders, and rarely at high doses death from heart attacks. There are questions in Vietnam especially related to possible health effects such as cancer and congenital malformations related to Agent Orange exposure. Our work is on exposure assessment, not epidemiology. We found in some parts in the south of Vietnam elevated TCDD in people, food, soil and sediment. So the possibility exists for health effects from dioxins in residents of Vietnam. We also found elevated dioxins and dioxin like compounds from sources other than Agent Orange in Vietnam. In addition, pesticides have been detected in Vietnamese and Vietnam food. Our previous findings regarding human dioxin levels will be reviewed and findings from newly studied areas will be presented. Not all purported Agent Orange hot spots showed elevated 2,3,7,8-TCDD. Adverse health effects from a number of chemicals including dioxins is possible in Vietnam and probably also in US Vietnam veterans. Further study is indicated.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this session participants will

• Have increased knowledge of health effects from the Vietnam War on Vietnamese and on US veterans.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation