1
15
2
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Alvin L. Young Collection on Agent Orange
Description
An account of the resource
<p style="margin-top: -1em; line-height: 1.2em;">The Alvin L. Young Collection on Agent Orange comprises 120 linear feet and spans the late 1800s to 2005; however, the bulk of the coverage is from the 1960s to the 1980s and there are many undated items. The collection was donated to Special Collections of the National Agricultural Library in 1985 by Dr. Alvin L. Young (1942- ). Dr. Young developed the collection as he conducted extensive research on the military defoliant Agent Orange. The collection is in good condition and includes letters, memoranda, books, reports, press releases, journal and newspaper clippings, field logs and notebooks, newsletters, maps, booklets and pamphlets, photographs, memorabilia, and audiotapes of an interview with Dr. Young.</p>
<p>For more about this collection, <a href="/exhibits/speccoll/exhibits/show/alvin-l--young-collection-on-a">view the Agent Orange Exhibit.</a></p>
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Box
The box containing the original item.
069
Folder
The folder containing the original item.
1862
Series
The series number of the original item.
Series III Subseries III
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Bangert, Joseph V.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter: to Charles H. Hubbs from Joseph V. Bangert, January 30, 1987
Subject
The topic of the resource
state-funded Vietnam veterans study
adipose tissue testing
dioxin
Air Force Health Study
ao_seriesIII
-
https://www.nal.usda.gov/exhibits/speccoll/files/original/bc54fa583efffdef8051d9f49a71404e.pdf
208c08c339cf33fd3b1a079fcdbc1162
PDF Text
Text
ItomDNunber
°1861
Author
Bangert, Joseph V.
Corporate Author
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Agent Orange Progra
RdDOrt/ArtldO TltlO Health Survey of Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans,
Summary
Journal/Book Title
Year
1986
Month/Day
June
Color
0
Number of Images
12
Descrlpton Notes
Wednesday, July 11, 2001
Page 1862 of 1870
�COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
AGENT ORANGE PROGRAM
Office of the Commissioner of Veteran's Services
100 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02202
"Health Survey of Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans"
SUMMARY
June, 1986
�FOREWORD
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Agent Orange Program, a program of the
Office of the Commissioner of Veterans' Services, was provided funding by the
1983 Massachusetts Legislature for the purpose of conducting, "medical and
scientific testing related to the possible health effects of Agent Orange on
Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans."
In January, 1984, the Agent Orange Program, Office of the Commissioner of
Veterans' Services (OCVS) was implemented to survey programmatic, medical
and scientific options. The Agent Orange Program instituted the Agent Orange
Medical /Scientific Advisory Board to provide technical recommendations, oversight and review of proposals and implemented medical and scientific programs
and studies.
In January, 1985, the Massachusetts Agent Orange Program, in cooperation with
the Massachusetts Department of Public Health published the "Mortality Among
Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans, 1972-1983" written by Michael Kogan, M.A., and
Richard Clapp, M.P.H., as the first step in the Commonwealth's attempt to find
some answers to the complex questions surrounding the issue of Agent Orange.
This mortality study provides a stable foundation for our continued ongoing
efforts to provide scientific, technical, verifiable data regarding the effects
of Agent Orange where none had been previously available.
The Massachusetts Agent Orange Program's "Health Survey of Massachusetts
Vietnam Veterans, 1986" is the second step in our program's continuing
efforts to determine the needs of Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans and their
families. This survey utilized the "American Legion," or "Stellman questionnaire,"
with minor modifications. The survey results, contained within, are the result
of over 2,000 Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans and their families, and dependents
who took the time out to complete a rather detailed and complex form. Only
1,500 of the 2,000 questionnaires were included in the Massachusetts survey
as they were chosen on the completedness of the questionnaire, and those
filled out by Massachusetts veterans who had not been in the Vietnam theatre
were excluded.
The analysis of the data collected by the Massachsuetts Agent Orange Program
was compiled and analyzed by Mr. Frank J. Bove, M.S., an epidemiologist and
PhD candidate with Harvard University School of Public Health. We are indebted
to the hard work of this young scientist.
The Massachusetts Agent Orange Program also acknowledges the leadership role
of Governor Michael S. Dukakis of Massachusetts as well as that of Commissioner
of Veterans' Services, John Halachis in their ongoing committment to this
program and its importance for the more than 50,000 Massachusetts Vietnam
Veterans. We also acknowledge the General Court of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, and in particular to Senator Fran Doris, Representative Thomas
Vallely and former Representative Tom Lynch who took the leadership in bringing
the Massachusetts Agent Orange Program into being. We would be remiss if
we did not acknowledge the pioneering role of Mr. Christopher Gregory, the
former Director of the Agent Orange Program in getting the program on line.
We shall continue first and foremost to aggressively and independently survey
and test Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans who bore the brunt of battle and will
never be forgotten.
Jsefob/V. Bangert, Director
Massachusetts Agent Orange Program
r
�SUMMARY
Fifteen hundred Vietnam veterans in Massachusetts completed
health questionnaires in January 1985. The respondents were
those who filed a claim against the $180 million proposed out of
court settlement reached by attorneys' representing the seven
chemical manufacturers of Agent Orange and Vietnam veterans.
Although not a random sample of the more than 50,000 Massachusetts Vietnam veterans, the findings indicate a considerable
amount of illness among the respondents including tumors, neurobehavioral problems, reproductive difficulties and birth defects among their offspring. These findings are consistent with
the observed symptoms and disease found among those exposed to
2,4-D, 2,4,5-T and 2,3,7,8-TCDD (Dioxin) in the workplace or the
environment.
INTRODUCTION
Concern about the long-term effects of exposure to Agent
Orange is widespread among Vietnam veterans in the U.S. and Australia, as well as among the citizens of Vietnam. In southern
Vietnam, recent studies report a variety of persistent clinical
problems including recurring bouts of headaches, depression and
anxiety, asthenia, loss of libido, GI disorders and adverse reproductive outcomes. Studies of workers exposed to dioxin contaminated substances have found elevated rates of lymphomas and
soft tissue sarcomas. Neurologic and liver effects have also
been reported. Table 1 lists the findings of some of these occupational studies. Table 2 lists the findings of a Massachusetts
Departments of Public Health and Veterans Services study of mortality among Vietnam veterans. This study found elevated rates
of soft tissue sarcomas, kidney cancer, motor vehicle accidents
and suicides. Table 3 lists findings from other studies of
Vietnam veterans.
This survey of the health of Massachusetts Vietnam veterans
is part of an on-going research program that was sparked by the
findings of previous studies as well as the concerns raised by
veterans. The results of this survey are consistent with those
in the studies mentioned above.
METHODS AND SUBJECTS
In January, 1985, The Massachusetts Agent Orange Program
instituted a large-scale media campaign to alert Vietnam veterans
�of the court-imposed deadline for filing a claim against the proposed $180 million settlement reached by attorneys for the seven
manufacturers of Agent Orange and Vietnam veterans. About 2,000
veterans filed claims during a two day period at the state's
Office of Veterans Services. The American Legion health questionnaire was distributed to those filing claims. In addition,
some 300 questionnaires were mailed to veterans who phoned the
Agent Orange Program requesting to participate in the health
survey. Approximately 1800 questionnaires were returned to the
Agent Orange Program, fifteen hundred of these were selected
based on the criteria of completedness and actual service in
Vietnam.
Staff of the Agent Orange Program as well as trained volunteers, all of whom were Vietnam veterans, assisted respondents
with any questions or difficulties they encountered with the
questionnaire. Concerning the birth outcome data requested by
the questionnaire, if the veterans were not sure of the information being asked, they were provided with a self-addressed envelope and permitted to take the questionnaire home to consult with
their spouses.
RESULTS
Analysis of the questionnaire data was performed using DBASE
III.
Over a quarter of the respondents stated that they were
diagnosed with tumors (cancerous, benign, fatty or other). Nine
were diagnosed with Hodgkins Disease. Nearly 22% of the respondents indicated that one or more of their children had birth defects. Out of 1907 live births reported in the questionnaires,
462 (24%) had at least one birth defect and 160 had more than one
defect. Thirty-seven spina bifida, other brain or spine defects
were reported. Table 4 presents the data on other congenital
malformations.
Nearly one-third of the respondents indicated a decrease in
libido and 22% reported fertility difficulties (see Table 4).
Nearly two-thirds of the respondents indicated persistent problems with tiredness, over half reported persistent headaches and
difficulties with memory or concentration, and almost half reported nervous disorders (see Table 5).
Seventy-three percent of the respondents answered yes to the
question: "Have you or your family ever noticed a personality
change?". Eighty-two percent of the respondents claimed they regularly had at least one of the following problems: depression,
violent rage, anxiety and irritability. Most had more than one
problem. Two hundred and seventy-five respondents reported suffering from mental Illness or a breakdown. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in the lower or upper extremities were reported
in over two-thirds of the veterans. Indications of asthenia were
found in over half of the questionnaires (see Table 5).
�Many respondents reported GI disorders. Over a third stated
they had repeated nausea without flu or other sickness. Over 25%
reported repeated bouts with diarrhea. One-third indicated that
they regularly experienced loss of appetite and 20% reported
weight loss.
CONCLUSION
We reemphasize that the questionnaires were not randomly
distributed and were completed on a volunteer basis by a selfselected group of MA veterans. This means that we cannot base a
valid, scientific study on the information contained in these
questionnaires. However, the questionnaires clearly indicate
considerable disease and suffering among a relatively young group
of people (93% under age 45, 80% under age 40). The symptoms and
disease found are consistent with findings from other studies of
people exposed to dioxin, 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T.
REFERENCES
Ashe WF, Suskind RR (1949,1950)tReports on chloracne cases,
Monsanto Chemical Co., Nitro, W.VA.
Baader EW, Bauer AJ (1951):Industrial intoxication due to pentachlorophenol. Indus Med Surg 20:289-290.
Barr MM (1982) :letter to editor. ANZ J. Psych. 16: 88-89.
»
Barr MM (1983): Apparent progressive axonal dying back neuropathy
in Vietnam veterans. Neuroscience Letters, Abstracts
suppl. ll:s.29.
Dugois P, et.al. (1956): Acne chlorlque au 2,4,5-T. Lyon Med
88:446-447.
Erickson JD, et.al. (1984): Vietnam veterans1 risks for fathering
babies with birth defects. JAMA 252:903-912.
Goldman PJ (1973): Schwetst akute chlorakne, eine massenintoxikation durch 2,3,6,7-TCDD. Der Hautarzt 24:149-152.
�Moses M, et.al. (1984): Health Status of workers with past exposure to 2,3,7,8-TCDD in the manufacture of 2,4,5-T: Comparison of findings with and without chloracne. Am J Ind Med
5:161-182.
Pazderova-Vejlupkov J, et.al (1980): Chronic poisoning by
2,3,7,8-TCDD. Prac Lek 32::204-209. NIH Library Translation.
Pazderova-Vejlupkov J, et.al (1981): The development and prognosis of chronic intoxication by TCDD in men. Arch Env
Health 36:5-11.
Poland AP, et.al. (1971): Health survey of workers in a 2,4-D and
2,4,5-T plant. Arch Env Health 22:316-327.
Stellman S, Stellman J (1980): Health problems among 535 Vietnam
veterans potentially exposed to toxic herbicides. Am J Epi
112:444 (abstract).
Susklnd RR (1953): A clinical and environmental survey, Monsanto
Chemical Co., Nitro, W.VA.. Report of the Kettering Laboratory, July.
Suskind RR (1977): Chloracne and associated health problems in
the manufacture of 2,4,5-T. Report to the NIEHS/IARC Joint
Conference, Lyon, France. January.
Telegina KA, Bikbulatova LJ (1970): Affection of the folllcular
apparatus of the skin in workers employed in the production
of the butyl ester of 2,4,5-T. Vestnik Derm Ven 44:35-39.
�TABLE 1
REPORTED OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES TO DIOXIN-CONTAMINATED
SUBSTANCES RESULTING IN HUMAN ILLNESS*
Year,place &
chemical(s)
Type of exposure & number
of cases
Neurological
effects
Other
effects
References
1949 W.VA
TCP, 2,4,5-T
explosion
117
production
111
nervousness,
irritability,
insomnia,
personality
change,depression,
headache,pain
& weakness in
lower extremities, per ipheral
neuropathy
fatigue, [Ashe &
weight
Suskind,
loss,
1949,
weakness, 1950;
decreased Suskind,
libido,im - 1953;
Suskind,
potence
1977] .
1949 Germany
TCP
production,
industrial
lab 17
pain & weakness,paresthesia,polyneuritis in lower
extremities
fatigue,
decreased
libido,
impotence
1952 Germany
TCP
production
31
pain & weakness,paresthesia in lower
extremities,
memory & concentration deficits,sleep
disturbances,
apathy,dulled
emotional response
fatigue,
[Susmyocardial kind,
damage
1977]
1953 Germany
TCP
explosion
55
hearing impairment,
peripheral
neuropathy
fatigue,
[Golddrowsiness, man,
myocardial
1973]
damage
1956 France
TCP
production
17
peripheral
neuropathy
1964 USSR
TCP 2,4,5-T
production
128
headache,memory loss,
sleeplessness
[Baader
& Bauer,
1951]
[Dugois,
et.al.,
1956]
fatigue,
[Telejoint pain gina &
Bikbulatova,
1970]
�TABLE 1 (continued)
Year,place &
chemical(s)
Type of exposure & number
of cases
Neurological
effects
Other
effects References
1965-68
Czechoslovakia
TCP 2,4,5-T
production
80
pain & weakfatigue, [Pazderoness in lower
weight
va-Vejlupkov,
loss
extremities/
somnolence,
et.al.,
1980;
headache, insomnia,peri19811
pheral neuropathy, emotional
& psychiatric
disorders
1969 NJ
TCP 2,4,5-T
2,4-D
production
73
weakness in
lower extremities,hypomania
*adapted from Moses/et.al.,1984
[Poland,
et.al. '
1971]
�TABLE
2
Standardized Proportional Mortality Ratios for Selected Causes of Death for
Vietnam Veterans Compared with Either Non-Vietnam-Veterans or Non-Veteran Males
ICO NO*
CAUSE OF DcATH
OBSERVES
VIETNAM
VETERAN
DEATHS
All Causes
COMPARISON GROUP
NON- VIETNAM
VETERANS
PMR
95% C.I.
NON-VETERAN
MALES
PMR
95% C.I.
840
140-239
All Neoplasms
153-154
Colo-Rectal
162
Lung, Bronchus
171
Connective Tissue
9
880
189
Kidney
9
183 (96,348)
353 (191,651)
139
88 (75,103)
87 (74,102)
28
111 (77,160)
138 (96,199)
•
129
95
(78,115)
112
(94,134)
8
113
(56,228)
85
(42,172)
98 (66,146)
102
(72,145)
25
(513,1510)
473 (262,855)
390-429 'Circulatory System
439-459 (except Cerebrovascular)
430-438 Cerebrovascular
Disease
571
Cirrhosis of the
Liver
29
94 (65,136)
90 (61,132)
•
E800-E999 All external causes
428
108 (98,119)
H3 (103,124)
E810-E825 Motor vehicle accidents
169
110 (95,127)
127 (106,152)
E950-E958 Recorded suicides
102
93 (77,112)
118 (98,143)
799.9,
Estimated suicides*1*
E850-E869,
E950-E958,
163
113 (96,132)
140 (120,163)
31
80 (56,114)
66 (46,94)'
E980-E982
E960-E969 Homicides
International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, code number.
**See reference (6) for discussion of this category. Note that there were
13 deaths in the category 799.9.
�TABLE 3
REPORTS ON THE HEALTH STATUS OF VIETNAM VETERANS
Reference
Exposed
Health Effects
Stellman &
Vietnam Veterans
535
congenital malformations,
GI disturbances,pain in
joints,sleep and psychological disturbances
Barr/1982;
1983
Vietnam Veterans
Australia, 120
peripheral neuropathy,
insomnia,depress ion,
Irritability,lassitude,
memory loss,headaches,
attempted suicides
Erickson,
et.al. 1984
Vietnam Veterans
696
congenital malformations:
spina bifida,cleft lip,
impaired hearing,clubfoot
Stellman,
1980
�TABLE 4
CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS
Total
Number
Birth Defect
Prevalence *
BDMP Incidence
Rate *
Spina Bifida,other
brain or spine defects
37
195
18.4
clubfoot
24
126
24.5
cleft lip/palate
17
89
13.4
missing, deformed or
extra toes/fingers
31
163
Down's Syndrome
11
58
7.9
hip abnormalities
21
111
27.0
heart defect
60
defect of the
digestive system
35
hearing disorders
63
cerebral palsy
27.2**
6
other skeletal defects
Condition requiring
special education or care
46
122
* per 10,000 live births
** polydactyly and syndactyly
OTHER REPRODUCTIVE PROBLEMS
Problem
Number
%
Loss of libido
487
32.4%
Infertility
330
22.0%
Infertility and saw physician
246
16.4%
low birth weight children
162
8.1%
(under 5.5 Ibs.)
�10
TABLE 5
NEUROBEHAVIORAL DYSFUNCTION
Problem
Number
%
persistent tiredness
(saw physician)
957
270
63.7%
18.0%
persistent headaches
(saw physician)
773
338
51.5%
22.5%
nervous disorders
(saw physician)
684
356
45.5%
23.7%
difficulty with memory
or concentration
(saw physician)
786
165
52.3%
11.0%
mental illness or breakdown
(receiving some disability)
275
132
18.3%
8.8%
1233
1015
82.1%
67.6%
321
21.4%
regularly depressed, get into a
violent rage, anxious or irritable
(more than one behavioral problem)
Sensory symptoms of early stage
peripheral neuropathy
asthenia (need hands to rise from
chair, can't climb stairs without
holding onto railing, unable to do
tasks requiring holding arms at
shoulder level, difficulty grasping
tools)
775
51.6%
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Alvin L. Young Collection on Agent Orange
Description
An account of the resource
<p style="margin-top: -1em; line-height: 1.2em;">The Alvin L. Young Collection on Agent Orange comprises 120 linear feet and spans the late 1800s to 2005; however, the bulk of the coverage is from the 1960s to the 1980s and there are many undated items. The collection was donated to Special Collections of the National Agricultural Library in 1985 by Dr. Alvin L. Young (1942- ). Dr. Young developed the collection as he conducted extensive research on the military defoliant Agent Orange. The collection is in good condition and includes letters, memoranda, books, reports, press releases, journal and newspaper clippings, field logs and notebooks, newsletters, maps, booklets and pamphlets, photographs, memorabilia, and audiotapes of an interview with Dr. Young.</p>
<p>For more about this collection, <a href="/exhibits/speccoll/exhibits/show/alvin-l--young-collection-on-a">view the Agent Orange Exhibit.</a></p>
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Box
The box containing the original item.
069
Folder
The folder containing the original item.
1861
Series
The series number of the original item.
Series III Subseries III
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Bangert, Joseph V.
Description
An account of the resource
<strong>Corporate Author: </strong>Commonwealth of Massachusetts Agent Orange Program
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1986-06-01
Title
A name given to the resource
Health Survey of Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans, Summary
Subject
The topic of the resource
state-funded Vietnam veterans study
mortality trends
congenital birth defects
industrial exposure
ao_seriesIII