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malaise

(269,054 posts) Fri Jan 9, 2015, 06:53 PM Jan 2015

OMFG!!!!Agent Orange a risk for US personnel working on planes after Vietnam war

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jan/09/agent-orange-risk-us-personnel-planes-after-vietnam-war
<snip>
US air force reservists who did maintenance on C-123 aircraft used during the Vietnam war to spray the defoliant Agent Orange could have been exposed to harmful levels of dioxin even long after the conflict, the health arm of the National Academy of Sciences said on Friday.

The study, requested by the Department of Veterans Affairs, could influence how health compensation claims from the maintenance workers are handled under the Agent Orange Act of 1991. Previously, claims had been rejected for those who worked on the aircraft after the war and had no experience in Vietnam.

Between 1972 and 1982, as many as 2,100 air force reserve personnel trained and worked on C-123 aircraft that had been used to spray Agent Orange during the Vietnam war, the panel said. After the Agent Orange Act was passed, some reservists lodged health claims with the VA.

But the panel noted that previous assessments from those in the military or the VA minimised the health risk of exposure, often saying any Agent Orange residues on the interior surfaces could not have moved from their location and endangered humans.

The panel flatly rejected that idea, saying it is well accepted now that semi-volatile organic compounds like those in Agent Orange remain in “dynamic flux” in enclosed spaces.
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I hope some of our DU veterans benefit from this.

9 replies

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OMFG!!!!Agent Orange a risk for US personnel working on planes after Vietnam war (Original Post) malaise Jan 2015 OP

We use to stand in morning formation as three upaloopa Jan 2015 #1

Please do malaise Jan 2015 #2

If you haven't been to the V.A. you may be interested in reading this HereSince1628 Jan 2015 #3

my cousin Ross Paxton, a fighter pilot died from it and his widow roguevalley Jan 2015 #6

omg ellenrr Jan 2015 #4

If you are a veteran or a widow of a veteran BrotherIvan Jan 2015 #5

Glad to hear that malaise Jan 2015 #8

War.... the gift that just keeps on giving. nt Bigmack Jan 2015 #7

It gives to the special interests - the war profiteers malaise Jan 2015 #9

upaloopa

(11,417 posts)

1. We use to stand in morning formation as three

Reply to malaise (Original post)

Fri Jan 9, 2015, 07:03 PM

Jan 2015

c-123 aircraft flew over our heads in a triangle and sprayed agent orange down on us. That was at Long Bien in 1967-68.
Nothing grew there. We had wooden side walks because during rainy season there was nothing but mud everywhere.
I don't think I was negatively effected but I should get check out I guess.

malaise

(269,054 posts)

2. Please do

Reply to upaloopa (Reply #1)

Fri Jan 9, 2015, 07:08 PM

Jan 2015

although I suspect you'd have had symptoms by now

HereSince1628

(36,063 posts)

3. If you haven't been to the V.A. you may be interested in reading this

Reply to upaloopa (Reply #1)

Fri Jan 9, 2015, 07:48 PM

Jan 2015

Benefits can include treatment for wide variety of "silent killers" associated with AO in addition to cancers.

http://www.publichealth.va.gov/PUBLICHEALTH/exposures/agentorange/benefits/index.asp

roguevalley

(40,656 posts)

6. my cousin Ross Paxton, a fighter pilot died from it and his widow

Reply to upaloopa (Reply #1)

Sat Jan 10, 2015, 12:57 AM

Jan 2015

got a pension which was almost unheard of at the time.

ellenrr

(3,864 posts)

4. omg

Reply to malaise (Original post)

Fri Jan 9, 2015, 08:13 PM

Jan 2015

BrotherIvan

(9,126 posts)

5. If you are a veteran or a widow of a veteran

Reply to malaise (Original post)

Fri Jan 9, 2015, 09:01 PM

Jan 2015

Please take this information to the VA and reapply for benefits. I helped one of our employees navigate the system after her husband died of cancer in all of his major organs. He had never received benefits. They had reevaluated the ship he was on and extended the years of AO exposure and now she receives $1000 per month for life. They were very helpful and got the judgement rushed through. Always check as the years are changing.

Thanks for the info!