An Epidemiologic Investigation of Health Effects in Air Force Personnel Following Exposure to Herbicides. Extract.

Abstract : This report represents the results from an epidemiologic study to determine whether adverse health effects attributable to Herbicide Orange exist in Vietnam veterans who participated in Operation Ranch Hand. Data were analyzed for 12 clinical areas. The analysis focused on group differences between the exposed (Ranch Hand) and unexposed (Comparison) cohorts, as well as on the association of each health-related endpoint with extrapolated initial and current serum dioxin levels. Findings in this report reveal a consistent relationship between dioxin and body fat that was initially noted in the analysis of the 1987 examination results. Cholesterol and the cholesterol to HDL ratio were found to be associated with current serum dioxin levels. Evidence for a possible association between glucose intolerance, impaired insulin production, and dioxin exposure was revealed, but cause and effect remain to be established. Also revealed was a significant association between selected peripheral pulses and dioxin exposure, and a significant difference in self-perceived health status between Ranch Hands and Comparisons (although possible due to bias). Other health endpoints revealed no consistent patterns within or across clinical areas that were suggestive of health detriment due to dioxin exposure