In or previous work, we reported findings of marked elevation of the dioxin from Agent Orange, TCDD, in milk and blood from Vietnamese living in Vietnam. Our previous studies indicated the very high TCDD levels from 1970 on, when 1,850 ppt TCDD was measured in milk, were declining. Our 1999 blood samples from Vietnam with TCDD levels as high at 271 ppt suggest ongoing exposure to dioxins in the Vietnamese people. This interpretation is based on marked elevation of TCDD levels, including in all family members who moved to the south from the north of Vietnam long after Agent Orange spraying ended. Others with elevated levels were born after spraying ended. We believe the most likely hypothesis to explain these findings are of fish, shrimp and other food contaminated with dioxin from areas where spills of Agent Orange occurred, and possibly other residual sources contaminating especially fish and shrimp. Food from Vietnam should again be analyzed for dioxins in order to determine levels in food currently consumed by Vietnamese. In our earlier dioxin analyses (in the 1980s) of Vietnamese food we did not note any marked elevation of dioxins.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Veitnam, Agent Orange
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.