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Helping Veterans Nationwide. Get A Free Case Evaluation. Our Firm Our firm was founded in in Orlando, Florida. Privacy Policy Cookie Policy. Free Case Evaluation. If your medical condition does not appear on the list of presumptive conditions, you may still be able to receive VA disability benefits due to Agent Orange exposure.
However, you will need additional evidence to support your case:. Even if your doctor states that your current condition is due to Agent Orange exposure, VA may still deny your claim. This exam is free of charge. VA notes that these exams can help them better understand and respond to the effects of Agent Orange. Through the program, veterans may receive free lab tests and referrals to medical specialists for their Agent Orange-related symptoms.
Studies have indicated that Agent Orange exposure has led to increased rates of stillbirths and birth defects in the children of veterans exposed to Agent Orange. Additionally, evidence has linked Agent Orange exposure to spina bifida, a birth defect in which the spinal cord does not develop properly. Veterans with service-connected conditions related to Agent Orange may be eligible for specific health care benefits from VA.
These US airbases handled most of the Agent Orange coming into Vietnam and were the collection sites for shipping of Agent Orange for at-sea incineration. In addition to atmospheric TCDD deposition, the rivers and marine coastal waters of Vietnam were exposed to dioxin by direct stream bank and coastal vegetation herbicide applications as well as river deposition and re-suspension of dioxin contaminated sediments.
The deposition of TCDD into water bodies occurred in several ways: fully dissolved in the water, adsorbed and absorbed into colloidal organic materials, and bound to particles in the water. There was a high probability that TCDD bound to particles and organic materials would attach to sediments within estuaries where coastal salt-waters mixed with fresh-water rivers [8].
TCDD is lost from the surface of coastal waters by photo degradation. The largest fraction of TCDD in most waters binds to algae, detritus, mineral matter and organic materials. These particles do not remain in the water column but deposit as sediment. The rate of loss can be calculated by measuring particle concentration in the water and their rate of settling. Very little of TCDD is dissolved in water due to it hydrophobic nature. TCDD in these sediment particles can be returned to the water when sediment is re-suspended [47].
Sediment re-suspension to the water column occurs especially in Vietnamese coastal waters which are shallow and easily churned by wave and wind action [8]. TCDD is ultimately lost from the aquatic system via microbial degradation within sediments or when TCDD particle-bound sediments are buried deeply in the river and coastal sea bottoms.
Degradation by anaerobic microorganisms in sediments or continuously wet soils occurs over long time periods, 10, 20, 50 years to centuries [39]. The quality of fresh and salt water rivers is hugely affected by soil erosion and run-off from monsoon high rain events. In most cases it can be assumed that TCDD contaminated river sediments originated from terrestrial sources. TCDD tends to adsorb to suspended humic materials and particles rather than dissolve into river or coastal waters [15].
Thus, as the organic-rich waters of the Mekong River and tributaries flowed through the Delta and entered estuaries at its coastal mouths, flocculation and agglomeration processes bound TCDD contaminated colloids to each another and to other particles in the water.
The degradation processes, photochemical exposure, limited bioavailability and low levels of residual TCDD suggest that dioxin exposure levels were low for most of the troops who served in Vietnam. Direct skin contact with the liquid herbicide would be necessary for dioxin to be absorbed by animals and humans. Thus high levels of exposure to TCDD from Agent Orange and other color-coded herbicides was most likely occur to those pilots and ground troops that loaded and unloaded the liter drums, filled the spray tanks, applied the herbicide to base perimeters and transported herbicide supplies within and between airbases [48].
Appreciable accumulation of TCDD in civilians and service personnel serving in Vietnam would have required repeated long-term direct skin contact. This was not incidental exposure under field conditions where Agent Orange was sprayed but frequent, concentrated exposure. In a team of scientists from National Academy of Sciences [18] collected and analyzed soil samples from an area where liters of Agent Orange were jettisoned in The fate of TCDD in the environment can best be understood by studying the movement of dioxin at hotspots including Thailand Figure 20 and Vietnam Figure 21 Air Force bases and land beyond their perimeter fences.
Ten Air Force bases of Vietnam were the primary hotspots of dioxin contamination Figure The scope of the work [24] included: 1 addressing adverse health-related environmental and social issues associated with remediation activities of dioxin contaminated soil and sediment to meet Government of Vietnam GVN standards, 2 supplemental investigations, sampling and analysis, the site conceptual model, 3 evaluation of remediation alternatives and environmental consequences of implementing remediation, 4 consequences to social resources from implementing remediation approaches for environmental mitigation if they are indirectly affected through changes in physical and natural environment and 5 resettlement and monitoring.
Eleven studies characterizing the dioxin contamination at Bien Hoa Air Force Base were conducted between and The study found multiple areas of contamination on the airbase and outside the perimeter fence. Examination of the historical soil and sediment sampling data revealed that dioxin contaminated soil and sediments in the area continued to be contaminated with dioxin more than 45 years later [24].
This high concentration was the result of how Agent Orange and the other herbicides where disposed of, handled, and stored. The hydrophobic water insoluble dioxin compounds attached to the organic fractions of Air Force Base soils and sediments. Contaminated surface soils and sediments spread from sites within the military base by leaks and spillage as well as outside the perimeter fence.
The dioxin TCDD contaminated soil was transported and released by natural and human mechanisms: water and wind erosion; precipitation runoff, transport, and deposition in water as sediment.
Soil samples were collected from 76 different locations within Bien Hoa Air Base and surrounding areas during field sampling in and , almost 45 years after Agent Orange use in Vietnam.
There were composited soil and sediment samples tested for potential dioxin content, and samples analyzed for soil, sediment, ground water and biota for various chemical and physical properties. About of the composite dioxin soil and sediment samples when compared to the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense standards were found within accepted levels based on current and likely future land uses.
However, the other soil and sediment samples had contaminated dioxin levels above accepted standards. Contaminated soil and sediments on and off Bien Hoa Air Base were used to estimate the bioaccumulation of dioxin within fish and other aquatic organisms and biomagnification in the food chain from sediments, zooplankton and small fish to human consumption. The raising, harvesting and transport of contaminated fish and other aquatic animals both inside and outside the airbase continued to have high potential for dioxin contamination even after 45 years.
All fish tested for dioxin were contaminated except for one. Although raising and selling fish for consumption have been banned, the ban has not been effective and consumption of fish and aquatic animals from this region continues to present a high risk to human health [24].
The only other soil or sediment contaminant found in the analysis was arsenic. A few water samples contained dioxin at or above the 10 parts per quadrillion ppq standard, but overall drinking water samples on and off site were found to be safe.
To address the Bien Hoa hotspot, between , m 3 and , m 3 of dioxin contaminated soil will need to be treated [24] [49]. Incineration appears to be the best alternative treatment of TCDD contaminated soil and sediment.
While the treatment is the most expensive technology currently available it would eliminate dioxin rather than confine it to a landfill and would not require future maintenance or treatment. Incineration oxidation of dioxin contaminated material is one of the most commonly used technologies [24] having been used to treat soils at more than superfund sites, including on the Passaic River near Newark, New Jersey, and is a mature and tested technology.
Incineration involves temperatures between to degrees C generated in rotary kiln incinerators. This method volatilizes dioxin in contaminated soils and sediments and then oxidizes it into the gaseous phase. The incineration process requires significant quantities of fuel to generate the temperatures needed to fully burn contaminated soils and sediments.
The contaminated soils and sediments would first need to be excavated and transported to stockpile areas near designated incineration locations. Several different types of incinerators have successfully destroyed dioxin [24] using rotary kiln incinerators similar to those used in the US to remediate contaminated soil. Rotary kiln incinerators have an extremely high Incineration costs are rather high but the process would be effective and likely acceptable to the Government of Vietnam GVN.
Contaminated material is dried using a rotary drum dryer to lower moisture content and then placed in a kiln for 40 to 60 minutes. Following treatment, the soil material is stockpiled for other uses including back filling. Confirmatory sampling and testing would be necessary prior to using the treated soil; and the ash from the incinerator once cooled must be stockpiled separately from treated soils.
A secondary combustion chamber processes the off-gas separately to ensure that all organics are destroyed. These gases pass through particulate separators, acid gas scrubbers and quenchers to remove particulates and vapor contaminants and to reduce temperature before discharging into atmosphere [24].
The excavated areas of the airbase can be re-filled with the treated soil and placed as clean fill into soil decision units DU. Treated sediment should never be used as backfill to avoid the risk of contamination. Land use at restored sites should not be changed from industrial area to farmland or aquaculture with lower acceptable dioxin levels. Drainage at the remediated site should be monitored to manage future erosion of materials, transport and deposition into lakes.
Treatment of the Bien Hoa Air Base contaminated soil and sediment estimated to be at least , m 3 would take about eight years of one incinerator system operating continuously 24 hr days. Two separate incineration units could reduce the time to 5 years. However, there would be start up time required for design, permitting and contractor procurement. This would reduce dioxin concentrations to or below GVN cleanup standards; and ash generated by the incinerator would require offsite disposal.
Incineration of dioxin contaminated soils and sediments would lower airbase dioxin concentrations and prevent continued off-base leaching and transport. Further, protected tourism, cultural and heritage resources would again be safe. Potential concerns during remediation are that the movement of contaminated soils and incineration could impact surface water quality from material handling and air quality as a result of dust from construction activities.
Noise from heavy equipment operations might also be a temporary nuisance problem since almost , Vietnamese live nearby. There may also be a risk of recontamination of the airbase and adjacent lakes. Since incineration involves treating contaminated soil and sediment materials on the airbase, there is little long-term risk associated with climate change resulting in a potential sea level rise and inundation or increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather if airbase drainage is managed.
A class-action lawsuit was filed in against the herbicide manufacturers Dow Chemical and Monsanto and the suit was settled out of court in Agent Orange was apparently used in Korea in addition to Vietnam in the late s. US veterans who were able to prove their presence in Korea between April 1, and August 31, around the Demilitarized Zone DMZ and that they were presumptively exposed and developed medical problems on the list of presumptive diseases, may receive compensation from the US Veterans Administration.
In the Korean court ruled against the Koreans. The ruling acknowledged that the defendants failed to ensure safety of those exposed to the chemicals and that the defoliants had a higher level of dioxin than standard.
The judge did not acknowledge the relationship between the chemical and peripheral neuropathy which is the most commonly reported disease. Production and use of the 2,4,5-T herbicide in Agent Orange and the other herbicides were halted in the s in most countries.
Agent Orange and similar formulated herbicides have very short half-lives, and their direct effects on the Vietnam landscape are confined to the Vietnam War period while they are in use.
However, indirect environmental effects of the 2,4,5-T manufacture with the by-product or contaminant dioxin TCDD in the defoliation herbicide persisted. TCDD was transported as a result of soil erosion, landslides and ecologically degraded landscapes throughout the hilly and mountainous areas of South Vietnam. The pre-war forests that existed took hundreds of years to reach an ecologically-balanced mixture of large numbers of species of flora and fauna.
Natural regeneration after the spraying of Agent Orange and other defoliants with the contaminant dioxin TCDD will take centuries to reproduce those landscapes. In sprayed areas, runoff, soil erosion, transport and landslides occurred which sharply lowered soil nutrient levels and altered the topographical features of the landscape. These vegetative changes have opened forest canopies and grasslands to a few low value grasses and invasive trees.
Active replanting with species of trees and shrubs which are ecologically viable and have economic value, such as rubber trees, will require substantial and sustained long-term investments. Large tracts of these ancient mangroves were killed and regeneration has been very difficult due to changes in agricultural uses, increased settlement in the region, salt water intrusions in coastal rivers, and changes in natural water levels [10].
The contaminant dioxin TCDD that was carried in the formulation of these defoliants continues to be an environmental and human health problem that needs to be addressed.
Sediments and organic materials high in TCDD were transported by water and wind from Air Force bases into waterways creating hotspots. Fish, especially bottom feeders, in ponds and lakes adjacent to these hotspot areas resulted in dioxin entering the food chain via bioaccumulation and biomagnification processes even after more than 45 years.
Fish is the primary protein in diets and a major source of income for rural Vietnamese [5] Figure Dioxin in the food chain affects both health and Vietnamese capacity to derive livelihoods from fish and other aquatic plants and animals.
Most countries now have tight environmental restrictions on emissions of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds. However, dioxin does not degrade readily and is toxic over long periods of time, many decades.
The half-life of dioxin varies depending on location: in surface soil that has been fully exposed to sunlight the half-life is between 1 and 3 years; in humans the half-life is between 11 and 15 years; estimated to be 20 to 50 years or more when buried in a tropical soil. In river and sea sediment the half-life can be more than years [51]. It has only been 50 years since the Tet Offensive so approximately half of the dioxin potentially still exists in Air Force base hotspots and adjacent surrounding soils and water that are not remediated.
The production and application of Agent Orange and the other herbicides were halted in Ten years after removal the dioxin levels at these sites were 0. With the loss of stream bank vegetation in , bank erosion looks similar to the soil erosion that occurred in the s after stream bank defoliation. Dioxin in contaminated river sediments can bioaccumulate in harvested fish and become magnified throughout the food chain and affect human health.
The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper. A New History. These include cancers of the lungs, larynx, trachea, and bronchus. Some soft tissue sarcomas : A group of different types of cancers in body tissues such as muscle, fat, blood and lymph vessels, and connective tissues. These include the organs like the heart, kidneys, or liver. Chloracne or other types of acneiform disease like it : A skin condition that happens soon after exposure to chemicals.
It looks like common forms of acne often seen in teenagers. This leads to high blood sugar levels. Hypothyroidism: A condition that causes the thyroid gland to not produce enough of certain important hormones. Hypothyroidism can cause health problems like obesity, joint pain, infertility, and heart disease. This leads to chest pain. Parkinsonism: Any condition that causes a combination of abnormal movements. These include slow movements, trouble speaking, stiff muscles, or tremors.
Tremors are rhythmic shaking movements in a part of the body caused by muscle contractions that you can't control. The nervous system is the network of nerves and fibers that send messages between the brain and spinal cord and other areas of the body. Peripheral neuropathy, early onset : An illness of the nervous system that causes numbness, tingling, and motor or muscle weakness. Porphyria cutanea tarda : A rare illness that can make the liver stop working the way it should.
It can also cause the skin to thin and blister when exposed to the sun. Service requirements for presumption of exposure We base eligibility for VA disability compensation benefits, in part, on whether you served in a location that exposed you to Agent Orange.
Between January 9, , and May 7, , you must have served for any length of time in at least one of these locations: In the Republic of Vietnam, or Aboard a U. Or at least one of these must be true. You: Served in or near the Korean DMZ for any length of time between September 1, , and August 31, , or Served on active duty in a regular Air Force unit location where a C aircraft with traces of Agent Orange was assigned, and had repeated contact with this aircraft due to your flight, ground, or medical duties, or Were involved in transporting, testing, storing, or other uses of Agent Orange during your military service, or Were assigned as a Reservist to certain flight, ground, or medical crew duties at one of the below locations.
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