Health and reproductive outcomes among American legionnaires in relation to combat and herbicide exposure in Vietnam

Journal Article · Thu Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1988 · Environmental Research; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-9351(88)80039-2· OSTI ID:5078822

Stellman, S D ^[1]; Stellman, J M ^[2]; Sommer, Jr, J F ^[3]

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1. American Cancer Society, New York (USA)
2. Columbia Univ. (USA)
3. The American Legion, WA (USA)

History of diagnosed illnesses, medical symptoms, and reproductive outcomes and their relation to combat intensity and herbicide exposure were studied, via a mailed questionnaire, among 6,810 American Legionnaires who served during the Vietnam War (42% in Southeast Asia, 58% elsewhere). Heart disease, venereal disease, and benign fatty tumors were reported significantly more often by Vietnam veterans than by controls. Combat intensity was significantly dosage-related to history of high blood pressure, ulcers, arthritis and rheumatism, genito-urinary problems, nervous system disease, major injury, hepatitis, and benign fatty tumors. Agent Orange exposure was significantly dosage-related to history of benign fatty tumors, adult acne, skin rash with blisters, and increased sensitivity of eyes to light. Rates of the latter two conditions and of change in skin color were especially elevated in men whose military occupations involved direct handling of herbicides. Neither combat nor Agent Orange exposure was associated with difficulty in conception, time to conception of first child, or to birthweight or sex ratio of offspring, but maternal smoking was strongly related to reduced birthweight. The percentage of spouses' pregnancies which resulted in miscarriages was significantly higher for Vietnam veterans than controls. Logistic regression analysis showed that Agent Orange exposure and maternal smoking were both independently and significantly associated with miscarriage rates in a dose-related manner.

• OSTI ID: 5078822
• Journal Information: Environmental Research; (USA), Vol. 47:2; ISSN 0013-9351
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
HEALTH HAZARDS
DIOXIN
EPIDEMIOLOGY
MILITARY PERSONNEL
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HAZARDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
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