UNDER RECONSTRUCTION & UPGRADES 12th MAY 2017 onward …
From the Desk of the Gary

Association between Agent Orange and birth defects: systematic review and meta-analysis
The principal aim of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of relevant epidemiological studies that examined this association and to assess the heterogeneity among studies. Continue Reading

Fetal pituitary gonadotropin as an initial target of dioxin in its impairment of cholesterol transportation and steroidogenesis in rats.
Reproductive and developmental disorders are the most sensitive toxic effects caused by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). TCDD is thought to produce many, if not all, of these toxic effects by impairing steroidogenesis and/or steroid action during the prenatal or early postnatal stages. Continue Reading

2016.03.10 I.O.M Report: Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 2014
Based on the entire body of evidence, the committee Update 2014 changed the categories of association with exposure to the herbicides sprayed in Vietnam for three health effects. Continue Reading

2015.01.09 I.O.M Report: Post-Vietnam Dioxin Exposure in Agent Orange–Contaminated C-123 Aircraft
Between 1972 and 1982, approximately 1,500 to 2,100 U.S. Air Force (AF) Reserve personnel trained and worked on C-123 aircraft that previously had been used to spray herbicides, including Agent Orange (AO), during Operation Ranch Hand (ORH) in the Vietnam War. Samples taken from these aircraft show the presence of AO residues. Continue Reading

2013.12.03 I.O.M Report: Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 2012
The single new conclusion was that there is limited or suggestive evidence of a scientifically meaningful association of stroke with exposure to the chemicals in question. Continue Reading

2011-09-29 I.O.M Report: Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 2010
Great strides have been made over the last several years in understanding the health effects of exposure to the herbicides used in Vietnam, but there are still many lingering questions. Continue Reading

2001.05.20 I.O.M Report: Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans and Agent Orange Exposure
Although the IOM found several plausible ways by which Blue Water Navy veterans could have been exposed to herbicides, there was not enough information for the IOM to determine whether Blue Water Navy personnel were or were not exposed to Agent Orange. Continue Reading

2009.07.24 I.O.M Report: Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 2008
The authoring committee found suggestive but limited evidence that exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides used during the Vietnam War is associated with an increased chance of developing ischemic heart disease and Parkinson’s disease for Vietnam veterans. Continue Reading

2008.03.05 I.O.M Report: The Utility of Proximity-Based Herbicide Exposure Assessment in Epidemiologic Studies of Vietnam Veterans
A new Institute of Medicine report, The Utility of Proximity-Based Herbicide Exposure Assessment in Epidemiologic Studies of Vietnam Veterans, presents the conclusions and recommendations of a committee that was convened to provide guidance to the Department of Veterans Affairs about the best use of an exposure assessment model that was developed to address this problem. Continue Reading

2007.07.27 I.O.M Report: Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 2006
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. Continue Reading

Agent Orange Raises Vietnam Vets’ Risk of Recurrent Prostate Cancer
Exposure four decades ago to Agent Orange in the Vietnam War appears to boost veterans’ risk for a recurrence of prostate cancer even after the organ is surgically removed, a new study shows. Continue Reading

2006.07.31 Report: Genetic Damage In New Zealand Vietnam War Veterans
What are the genetic consequences for elevated levels of Dioxin. Participants Report, Prepared by Louise Edwards, Institute of Molecular BioSciences Massey University NZ Continue Reading

2005.03.03 I.O.M Report: Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 2004
Under a Congressional mandate, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies conducted a comprehensive review of the scientific literature to determine whether Vietnam veterans may be experiencing health effects associated with exposure to those herbicides or chemicals contaminating them. Continue Reading

2004.03.01 I.O.M Report: Veterans and Agent Orange: Length of Presumptive Period for Association Between Exposure and Respiratory Cancer
In this report, the IOM was mandated to review “whether it is possible to identify a period of time after exposure to herbicides after which a presumption of service-connection” of respiratory cancer would not be warranted. Continue Reading

2003.05.16 I.O.M Report: Characterizing Exposure of Veterans and Agent Orange and Other Herbicides Used in Vietnam: Interim Findings and Recommendations
Based on this review, the committee concludes that a valid exposure reconstruction model for wartime herbicide exposures of US veterans of Vietnam is feasible. Continue Reading

2003.01.16 I.O.M Report: Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 2002
This report, Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 2002, is the fourth in a series examining the impact of chemical defoliants, including Agent Orange, and their contaminants on human health. Continue Reading

2002.02.27 I.O.M Report: Veterans and Agent Orange: Herbicide/Dioxin Exposure and Acute Myelogenous Leukemia in the Children of Vietnam Veterans
The committee also considered new evidence from German and Norwegian studies of AML in the offspring of parents who had occupational exposure to pesticides. Neither study found a significant difference in incidence from unexposed populations. Continue Reading

2001.04.19 I.O.M Report: Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 2000
This report is the third comprehensive review and evaluation of the newly published scientific evidence regarding associations between health outcomes and exposure to dioxin and other chemical compounds in herbicides used in Vietnam. Continue Reading

2000.10.11 I.O.M Report: Veterans and Agent Orange: Herbicide/Dioxin Exposure and Type 2 Diabetes
In 1999, in response to a request from the Department of Veterans Affairs, IOM called together a committee to conduct an interim review of the scientific evidence regarding one of the conditions addressed in the Veterans and Agent Orange series of reports: Type 2 diabetes. Continue Reading

1999.12.16 I.O.M: Report: Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 1998
This is the second updated review and evaluation of published scientific evidence regarding associations between diseases and exposure to dioxin and other chemical compounds in herbicides used in Vietnam. Continue Reading

1997.04.18 I.O.M Report: Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 1996. Summary and Research Highlights
This IOM report presents the first updated review and evaluation of the newly published scientific evidence regarding associations between diseases and exposure to dioxin and other chemical compounds in herbicides used in Vietnam. Continue Reading

1996.03.14 I.O.M Report: Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 1996
Released: March 14, 1996 This IOM report presents the first updated review and evaluation of the newly published scientific evidence regarding associations between diseases and exposure to dioxin and other chemical compounds in herbicides used in Vietnam. For each disease,… Continue Reading

Mortality Patterns among Vietnam Veterans: A 24-Year Retrospective Analysis
The mortality experience of 33,833 US Army and Marine Corps Vietnam veterans who died during 1965-1988 was compared with that of 36,797 deceased non-Vietnam veterans using proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs). Military service information was abstracted from military personnel records and cause of death information recorded from death certificates. Continue Reading

1994.01.01 I.O.M Report: Veterans and Agent Orange: Health Effects of Herbicides Used in Vietnam
February 1992, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academy of Sciences signed an agreement with the Veterans Administration (VA) to review and summarize the strength of the scientific evidence concerning the association between herbicide exposure during Vietnam service and each disease or condition suspected to be associated with such exposure. Continue Reading