DIOXIN AND DIBENZOFURAN LEVELS IN BLOOD AND ADIPOSE-TISSUE OF VIETNAMESE FROM VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN VIETNAM IN PROXIMITY TO AGENT ORANGE SPRAYING

Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are of concern in Vietnam because of contamination from Agent Orange and other dioxin-containing chemicals. To map out levels of dioxins in Vietnam, between 1987 and 1991 pooled samples were collected in hospitals from discarded blood of adults and analyzed for dioxin content. Locations represented include Hanoi in the north, and thirteen areas in southern and central Vietnam. Because humans are at the top of the food chain, human blood dioxin levels can be used to monitor the environment and to acquire data of public health concern. Vietnamese adults, usually over the age of 40, were selected to increase the probability that 2,3,7,8-TCDD from Agent Orange, sprayed from 1962-1970 over 10% of the south, would be detected. One special group was included, veterans of the North Vietnam Army who served in the jungles of the south where Agent Orange was used. In general, considerable variation in TCDD level was observed, with elevated levels from certain areas in the south and also in the soldiers from the north of Vietnam who had served in the south. Seven hundred and twenty-one Vietnamese tissue samples were collected and are reported from twenty dioxin analyses.