Journal Article

Relation of Serum 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin (TCDD) Level to Hematological Examination Results in Veterans of Operation Ranch Hand

Longnecker, Matthew P., Michalek, Joel E., Akhtar, Fatema Z., Burton, Joseph E.

2001

Overview

The authors studied indices of hematologic function and exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in Vietnam War veterans of Operation Ranch Hand-the Air Force unit responsible for the aerial spraying of Agent Orange and other herbicides in Vietnam. The herbicides were contaminated with TCDD. The authors measured TCDD serum levels in 1987 or later and extrapolated the result to the time of service in Vietnam. The authors studied serum TCDD level in relation to red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, white blood cell count, platelet count, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate at each of 4 physical examinations. Compared with veterans not involved in Operation Ranch Hand, those with the highest TCDD levels in Operation Ranch Hand had mean corpuscular volumes that were about 1 % higher and platelet counts that were about 4% higher. These small increases were unlikely to be of clinical significance and may not have been caused by TCDD.

• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group,Heldref
• Subject: 2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid - adverse effects / 2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid - chemistry / 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid - adverse effects / 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid - chemistry / Agent Orange / Biological and medical sciences / Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases / Defoliants, Chemical - adverse effects / Defoliants, Chemical - chemistry / dioxin / Environmental Pollutants - adverse effects / Environmental Pollutants - blood / Erythrocyte Indices - drug effects / Half-Life / hematology / Humans / Male / Medical sciences / Middle Aged / Occupational Exposure / Platelet Count / Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins - adverse effects / Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins - blood / Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins - chemistry / Prospective Studies / TCDD / Toxicology / Various organic compounds / Veterans / Vietnam