3149.0: Monday, November 13, 2000 - 2:30 PM

Abstract #17168

Agent Orange in Cambodia: Dioxin blood levels in Cambodians, 1999

Arnold J. Schecter, MD, MPH1, My Samedy2, Olaf Päpke, PhD3, and Amanda Piskac, MPH1. (1) UT-Houston School of Public Health at Dallas, MPH Program-Environmental Sciences, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, V8. 112, Dallas, TX 75235, (214)648-1080, arnold.schecter@email.swmed.edu, (2) Cambodian Red Cross, (3) ERGO Laboratories

The heaviest spraying of dioxin contaminated Agent Orange occurred in Vietnam. However, to stop movement of North Vietnam troops along the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos and Cambodia as well as Vietnam, Agent Orange was sprayed in all three countries.

To date, blood dioxin levels have been measured only in Vietnamese (and American veterans) for evidence of exposure to Agent Orange. To address the possibility that Cambodians and Laotians also may have been exposed to Agent Orange and have elevated dioxin body burdens, we began again sampling blood in Cambodia in 1999 and hope to begin Laotian work soon. This paper presents results from a consultation done with the Cambodian Red Cross and the Cambodian Ministry of Health's Blood Bank

We report individual blood levels from Kompong Cham and pooled blood levels from Phnom Penh as a comparison population. We did not go farther towards the Ho Chi Minh Trail on this trip because of the danger from unexploded ordnance.

Learning Objectives: N/A

Keywords: 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.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA