Project Ranch Hand II. An Epidemiologic Investigation of Health Effects in Air Force Personnel Following Exposure to Herbicides. Mortality Update - 1985.
Abstract
The purpose of the Air Force Health Study is to determine whether individuals involved in the aerial spraying of herbicides in Vietnam during the Ranch Hand operation have experienced increased deaths as a result of their participation in that program. The Baseline Mortality Report was released in June 1983, the Baseline Morbidity Report in February 1984, and the first follow-up mortality study in December 1984. Neither study demonstrated health effects that could be conclusively attributed to herbicide or dioxin exposure. The present report describes the third mortality analyses. Deaths in the 1257 Ranch Hand and 6171 comparison subjects were determined. As of 31 December 1984, 55 Ranch Hand and 285 comparison subjects had died. Death certificates were obtained on all subjects. The current mortality analyses did not reveal any statistically significant differences in mortality between the exposed and comparison groups. Continued mortality surveillance is recommended since the study groups are still relatively young and healthy. While sufficient time may have elapsed for some clinically significant conditions to occur, additional time is necessary for other conditions to develop which may possibly be attributable to herbicide exposure. At this time, however, there is no evidence of increased mortality as a result of herbicide exposure in individuals who performed a Ranch Hand spray operations in Vietnam. Keywords: Epidemiologic investigation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 29, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA163237
Entities
People
- Joel E. Michalek
- William H. Wolfe
Organizations
- United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine