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Veterans and Agent Orange: Health Effects of Herbicides Used in Vietnam

Released:
July 27, 1993
Type:
Consensus Report
Topic(s):
Environmental Health, Veterans Health
Activity:
Health Effects in Vietnam Veterans of Exposure to Herbicides (Agent Orange)
Board(s):
Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice

In February 1992, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academy of Sciences signed an agreement with the Veterans Administration (VA) to review and summarize the strength of the scientific evidence concerning the association between herbicide exposure during Vietnam service and each disease or condition suspected to be associated with such exposure.  The IOM was also asked to make recommendations concerning the need, if any, for additional scientific studies to resolve areas of continuing scientific uncertainty and to comment on four particular programs mandated in Public Law 102-4. 

In conducting its study, the committee operated independently of the VA and other government agencies.  The committee was not asked to and did not make judgments regarding specific cases in which individual Vietnam veterans have claimed injury from herbicide exposure; this was not part of its congressional charge. Rather, the study provides scientific information for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to consider as the VA exercises its responsibilities to Vietnam veterans.

[1]Also referred to as Type II diabetes, diabetes mellitus, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and adult-onset diabetes.

[2]2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, commonly referred to as TCDD or “dioxin,” was an unintentional contaminant of one of the herbicides used in Vietnam.

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Other Reports by this Activity

Displaying: 3 of 11 Reports

  • Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 2008 From 1962 to 1971, US military sprayed herbicides over Vietnam. Because of continuing uncertainty about the long-term health effects of the sprayed herbicides on Vietnam veterans, Congress passed the Agent Orange Act of 1991. The legislation directed the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to request the Institute of Medicine to perform a comprehensive evaluation of scientific and medical information regarding the health effects of exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides used in Vietnam. Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 2008 is the eighth report in this series.
    Released: July 24, 2009
  • Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 2006 Because of continuing uncertainty about the long-term health effects of the sprayed herbicides on Vietnam veterans, Congress passed the Agent Orange Act of 1991. The legislation directed the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to request the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to perform a comprehensive evaluation of scientific and medical information regarding the health effects of exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides used in Vietnam. Mandated updates to the original study were to be conducted every 2 years for 10 years. Veterans and Agent Orange, Update 2006 is the seventh report in this series.
    Released: July 27, 2007
  • Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 2004 Agent Orange and other herbicides were used as defoliants in the Vietnam War. Under a Congressional mandate, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies conducted a comprehensive review of the scientific literature to determine whether Vietnam veterans may be experiencing health effects associated with exposure to those herbicides or chemicals contaminating them. IOM's study has been updated every two years, and Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 2004 is the latest report in that series.
    Released: March 3, 2005

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