This book updates and evaluates the available scientific evidence regarding statistical associations between diseases and exposure to dioxin and other chemical compounds in herbicides used in Vietnam, focusing on new scientific studies and literature published since the release of Veterans and Agent Orange (1994). The update gives special attention to the relationship between exposure to herbicides and the development of birth defects and transient peripheral neuropathy, as well as the relationship between exposure to herbicides and the subsequent development of prostate, hepatobiliary, nasopharyngeal, and other cancers. The book also explores the relationship between the length of time since first exposure and the possible risk of cancer development. It reviews and summarizes the strength of scientific evidence concerning the association between herbicide use in Vietnam and each disease suspected to be associated with such exposure.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
2 VETERANS AND AGENT ORANGE: THE INITIAL IOM REPORT
3 TOXICOLOGY
4 METHODOLOGIC CONSIDERATIONS IN EVALUATING THE EVIDENCE
5 EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT
6 EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDIES
7 CANCER
8 LATENCY AND CANCER RISK
9 REPRODUCTIVE EFFECTS
10 NEUROBEHAVIORAL DISORDERS
11 OTHER HEALTH EFFECTS
APPENDIX A INFORMATION GATHERING
APPENDIX B RISK OF DISEASE IN VIETNAM VETERANS
APPENDIX C COMMITTEE AND STAFF BIOGRAPHIES