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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOMFG!!!!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.
upaloopa
(11,417 posts)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
(269,157 posts)although I suspect you'd have had symptoms by now
HereSince1628
(36,063 posts)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)got a pension which was almost unheard of at the time.
BrotherIvan
(9,126 posts)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!
malaise
(269,157 posts)and you're welcome
Bigmack
(8,020 posts)malaise
(269,157 posts)and it takes from everyone else.