Agent Orange
History and General
Information
Agent Orange was a herbicide, or defoliant, which was used in Vietnam to kill unwanted plant life and to remove leaves from trees which otherwise provided cover for the enemy. Agent Orange was a mixture of chemicals containing equal amounts of the two active ingredients (2,4-D and 2,4,5-T). The name, Agent Orange, came from the orange stripe on the 55- gallon drums in which it was stored. Other herbicides, including Agent White and Agent Blue, were also used in Vietnam to a much lesser extent.
Editor's Note: If you are looking for information on a specific area of Agent Orange, you can use an topical index. To access that index, click . --Al Colombo
Why are Vietnam Veterans Concerned About Agent Orange?
In the 1970's some veterans became concerned that exposure to
Agent Orange might cause delayed health effects. One of
the chemicals (2,4,5-T) in Agent Orange contained minute
traces of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p -dioxin
(also known as TCDD or dioxin), which has caused a variety of
illnesses in laboratory animals. More recent studies have
suggested that the chemical may be related to a number of
malignancies and other disorders.
When and where was Agent Orange used in Vietnam?
Fifteen different herbicides were shipped to and used in Vietnam
between January 1962 and September 1971. Over 80 percent of the
herbicides sprayed in Vietnam was Agent Orange, which
was used between January 1965 and April 1970. Herbicides other
than Agent Orange were used in Vietnam prior to 1965,
but to a very limited extent. The totla area sprayed with
herbicides between 1962 and 1965 was small, less than 7 percent
of the total acreage sprayed during the Vietnam conflict. Rapid
increases in the annual number of acres sprayed occurred from
1962 to 1967. The number of acres sprayed reached a maximum in
1967, leveled off slightly in 1968 and 1969, and declined rapidly
in 1970 prior to the termination of spraying in 1971. During this
time more than 20 million gallons of herbicides were sprayed over
6 million acres, some of which were sprayed more than once. More
than 3.5 million acres of South Vietnam -- approximately 8.5
percent of the country -- were sprayed one or more times.
Spraying occurred in all 4 military zones of Vietnam.
Heavily sprayed areas included inland forests near the demarcation zone; inland forests at the junction of the borders of Cambodia, Laos, and South Vietnam; inland forests north and northwest of Saigon; mangrove forests on the southernmost peninsula of Vienam; and mangrove forests along major shipping channels southeast of Saigon. Crop destruction missions were concentrated in northern and eastern central areas of South Vietnam.
What should concerned veterans do?
In 1978, the Veterans Administration, now known as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), set up a special examination program for Vietnam veterans who were worried about the long-term health effects of exposure to Agent Orange. Vietnam veterans who are interested in participating in this program, known as the Agent Orange Registry, should contact the nearest VA medical center for an examination. An appointment usually can be arranged within two or three weeks.
What can a veteran expect from this examination?
Veterans who participate in the examination program are asked
a series of questions about their possible exposure to herbicides
in Vietnam. A medical history is taken, a physical examination is
performed, and a series of basic laboratory tests, such as a
chest x-ray (if appropriate), urinalysis, and blood tests, are done. If the
examining physician thinks it is medically indicated, consultations with other
physicians are scheduled.
No special Agent Orange tests are offered since there is no test to show if a veteran's medical problem was caused by Agent Orange or other herbicides used in Vietnam. There are tests that show the level of dioxin in human fat and blood, but such tests are not done by VA because there is serious question about their value to veterans. In January 1992, VA signed a contract with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) under which, among other things, the NAS considered the feasibility and possible value of dioxin level blood tests for Vietnam veterans who apply for VA medical care or VA disability compensation. In its July 1993 report, the NAS concluded that individual TCDD levels in Vietnam veterans are usually not meaningful because of common background exposures to TCDD, poorly understood variations among individuals in TCDD metabolism, relatively large measurement errors, and exposure to herbicides that did not contain TCDD.
How does a veteran benefit from taking VA's Agent Orange Registery examination?
The veteran is informed of the results of the examination during a personal interview and gets a follow-up letter further describing the findings. Each veteran is given the opportunity to ask for an explanation and advice. Where medically necessary, a follow-up examination or additional laboratory tests are scheduled. The examination and tests sometime reval previously undetected medical problems. These discoveries permit veterans to get prompt treatment for their illnesses. Some veterans think they are in good health, but are worried that exposure to Agent Orange and other substances may have caused some hidden illness. The knowledge that a complete medical examination does not show any medical problems can be very reassuring or helpful to Registry participants. All examination and test results are kept in the veteran's permanent medical record. This information is also entered into the computerized VA Agent Orange Registry, see Agent Orange Brief, B1.
Can a veteran get treatment for Agent Orange-related illnesses?
Yes. Section 102, Public Law 104-262, the Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996, provides that VA is required to furnish hospital care and medical services, and may furnish nursing home care to veterans exposed to herbicides in Vietnam. There are some restrictions. VA cannot provide such care for a (1) disability which VA determines did not result from expsure to Agent Orange, or (2) disease which the National Academy of Sciences has determined that there is "limited/suggestive" evidence of no association between occurrence of the disease and exposure to a herbicide agent. For additional information about eligibility, see Agent Orange Brief, B2.
Can veterans get disability compensation for Agent Orange illnesses?
VA also pays disability compensation to many Vietnam veterans with injuries or illnesses incurred in or aggravated by their military service. Veterans do not have to prove that Agent Orange caused their medical problems to be eligible for compensation. Rather, VA must determine that the disability is "service-connected." A Veterans Benefits Counselor, at any VA medical center or regional office, can explain the compensation program in greater detail and can assist veterans who need hep in applying. For more information about the VA disability compensation program, call 1-800-827-1000 or see Agent Orange Brief, B3.
What else is VA doing?
In addition to the efforts described above (that is, Agent Orange
Registry examination program, medical treatment eligibility, and
disability compensation), VA is doing research to learn more about the
possible adverse health effects of Agent Orange exposure. The
Environmental Epidemiology Service (EES), in Washington, DC, is
the premiere office for Vietnam/Agent Orange-related research within
VA. EES investigators have completed two studies about
possible connections between Vietnam service and specific kinds of cancers
called soft tissue sarcomas,
- a large scale study of mortality among Vietnam veterans,
- a study regarding the relationship between Vietnam service and non-
Hodgkin''s lymphomas,
- a study of dioxin in adiposs (fat) tissue,
- several mortality study follow-up efforts,
- mortality studies of individuals in the Army Chemical Corps in Vietnam,
- an analysis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Vietnam
veterans in the Agent Orange Registry,
- a study of the relationship between Vietnam service and Hodgkin's disease,
- a study of the relationship between military service in Vietnam and the
risk of death from trauma and selected cancers,
- an analysis of testicular cancer among Agent Orange Registry
participants,
- a study of suicide among wounded Vietnam veterans,
- and a study of the relationship between lung cancer and military service
in vietnam.
EES had assistance from others on several of these research projects. For
information about these studies and ongoing VA research efforts, see Agent
Orange Brief, C2.
In 1981, VA published a two-volume report reviewing scientific literature
on herbicides in the United States and throughout the world. This publication
was updated with an additional two volumes in 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988,
1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994. (These annual updates were
discontinued to avoid duplication of the ongoing scientific literature review
by the National Academy of Sciences, a non-governmental organization under
contract with VA.) Lay language summaries of the VA's scientific reviews
havee been published to help non-scientists understand this complex issue. VA
has also published a series of monographs regarding Agent Orange-
related matters. For additional information on these publications, see
Agent Orange Brief, B4.
From 1979 to 1994, VA was part of an interagency group monitoring and
coordinating Agent Orange-related and dioxin-related research within
the Federal government. The interagency group ceased operation in 1994. VA
also has been aided by two VA-administered advisory committees, which made
valuable recommendations to the Administrator/Secretary of Veterans Affairs
regarding appropriate policy for compensation, research, outreach, and related
matters.
- a large scale study of mortality among Vietnam veterans,
- a study regarding the relationship between Vietnam service and non- Hodgkin''s lymphomas,
- a study of dioxin in adiposs (fat) tissue,
- several mortality study follow-up efforts,
- mortality studies of individuals in the Army Chemical Corps in Vietnam,
- an analysis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Vietnam veterans in the Agent Orange Registry,
- a study of the relationship between Vietnam service and Hodgkin's disease,
- a study of the relationship between military service in Vietnam and the risk of death from trauma and selected cancers,
- an analysis of testicular cancer among Agent Orange Registry participants,
- a study of suicide among wounded Vietnam veterans,
- and a study of the relationship between lung cancer and military service
in vietnam.
In 1981, VA published a two-volume report reviewing scientific literature
on herbicides in the United States and throughout the world. This publication
was updated with an additional two volumes in 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988,
1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994. (These annual updates were
discontinued to avoid duplication of the ongoing scientific literature review
by the National Academy of Sciences, a non-governmental organization under
contract with VA.) Lay language summaries of the VA's scientific reviews
havee been published to help non-scientists understand this complex issue. VA
has also published a series of monographs regarding Agent Orange-
related matters. For additional information on these publications, see
Agent Orange Brief, B4.
From 1979 to 1994, VA was part of an interagency group monitoring and coordinating Agent Orange-related and dioxin-related research within the Federal government. The interagency group ceased operation in 1994. VA also has been aided by two VA-administered advisory committees, which made valuable recommendations to the Administrator/Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding appropriate policy for compensation, research, outreach, and related matters.
What are other government departments and agencies doing?
Many other Federal departments and agencies have pursued and/or are also
conducted scientific studies on this subject. The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC), Air Force (USAF), National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), and Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) have all been involved in research. The CDC published
an important study, partially funded by VA, in 1984 regarding Vietnam
veterans' risks of fathering babies with birth defects. CDC investigators
found that overall Vietnam veterans were not at increased risk of fathering a
child with birth defects.
VA also funded the CDC Vietnam Experience Study published in 1987 and 1988,
and the CDC Selected Cancers Study published in 1990. The USAF is conducting a
long-term study of mortality and morbidity among the men involved in herbicide
spraying missions. Air Force researchers have issued numerous reports
regarding their findings in this ongoing project. NIOSH is maintaining a
registry of individuals exposed to diaoxins and other chemicals in the
workplace. NCI has studied the health effects of herbicides on selected
agricultural workers. EPA worked with VA on the determination of dioxin in
adipose tissue. The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology collaborated with VA
on soft tissue sarcoma research.
Obviously, a considerable amount of research has been undertaken by Federal
departments and agencies. According to the final report of the Domestic Policy
Council's Agent Orange Working Group issued in 1994, "There are 38 ongoing
projects and 189 completed projects." The report indicates that
"over $127 million has been spent on thee completed projects, an
additional $86 million has been spent" on the ongoing projects and that
"$70 million is estimated to be necessary over the next ten years to
complete the current ongoing projects."
Several States also have undertaken research efforts to learn more about the possible health effects of Agent Orange and the Vietnam experience upon our Nation's veterans. Research being done by non-VA agencies and organizations is more fully described in Agent Orange Brief, C3.
What is the National Academy of Sciences doing regarding this issue?
The National Academy of Sciences (NAS), a non-governmental organization, is reviewing all relevant scientific literature and providing advice to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on a wide range of issues relative to herbicides and dioxin. The NAS project is being undertaken in accordance with Public Law 102-4, the Agent Orange Act of 1991, signed by President Bush on February 6, 1991. The NAS reported its initial findings to VA and Congress in July 1993. The first update report was released on March 14, 1996. Future reports are anticipated biennially. The NAS is also considering the feasibility of developing a historical herbicide exposure reconstruction model that could be used in Agent Orange-related research efforts.
Where is additional information available?
There is at each VA medical center a Registry Physician
responsible for the conduct of Agent Orange Registry examinations.
These individuals particpate in regularly scheduled nationwide conference
calls and receive mailouts from VA headquarters updating them on the latest
developments on Agent Orange. Each facility also has an Agent
Orange Coordinator to facilitate the Agent Orange program.
As indicated above, other Agent Orange Briefs provids additional
information on specific Agent Orange concerns and issues. The
Agent Orange Briefs are available at all VA medical centers.
The Environmental Agents Service (131), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810
Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20420, is another good source of
information on this subject. The telephone number is 202-273-8580. The
Environmental Agents Service used to be known as the Environmental Medicine
Office. (It was also previously named the Agent Orange Projects Office.)
Veterans service organizations (such as The American Legion, Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam
Veterans of America, and VieNow) and State government entities (including
Agent Orange Commissions, Departments or Divisions of Veterans Affairs,
Deaprtments of Health) have also provided helpful information to individuals
seeking information on this subject.
The initial NAS report, an 832-page document, and the 1996 update, 384-
pages, are available for purchase from the National Academy Press, 2101
Constitution Avenue, N.W., Lockbox 285, Washington, DC 20055. The telephone
numbers are 1-800-624-6242 and 202-334-3313. Copies of both books were sent to
all VA medical center libraries.
Congressional committees, especially the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs and the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, have conducted numerous
hearings regarding the long-term health effects of exposure to Agent
Orange. A great deal of information has been gathered during these
hearings. Both committees are located in Washington, DC. The zip code for the
Senate Committee is 20510. The zip code for the House Committee is 20515.
Agent Orange Brief
Prepared by the Environmental Agents Service
VA Central Office, Washington, DC January 1997
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