Post-Service Mortality of Air Force Veterans Occupationally Exposed to Herbicides during the Vietnam War
Abstract
The Air Force Health Study (AFHS) is a prospective epidemiological study of the health, mortality, and reproductive outcomes of veterans of Operation Ranch Hand, the unit responsible for aerially spraying herbicides in Vietnam from 1962 to 1971. The study began in 1982 and concludes in 2006. This report updates the authors' mortality findings published in 2005 (deaths through December, 1999) by summarizing current all-cause and cause-specific post-service mortality in veterans of Operation Ranch Hand to December 31, 2003. In this study, the mortality of 1,263 Ranch Hand veterans to December 31, 2003 was contrasted with that of 19,080 comparison veterans. The relative risk for all-cause mortality was significantly increased (RR=1.25, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.1, 1.4, p<0.001). The risk of death caused by cancer was not significantly elevated (RR=1.1, 95% CI: 0.9, 1.4, p=0.39). The risk of death caused by circulatory system diseases was significantly increased in all occupations combined (RR=1.4, 95% CI: 1.1, 1.8, p=0.001) and in enlisted ground crew (RR=1.8, 95% CI: 1.3, 2.4, p<0.001), a subgroup with relatively high skin exposure to herbicides. Similarly increased risks of circulatory disease death in Ranch Hand personnel, particularly enlisted ground crew, were found among 2,758 veterans who had a physical examination. Among 2,551 veterans with dioxin assay results who had a physical examination, risk of death due to circulatory disease was significantly elevated for Ranch Hand veterans in the Low and High dioxin exposure categories (Low: RR=1.9, 95% CI: 1.1, 3.3, p=0.02; High: RR=2.3, 95% CI: 1.3, 4.0, p=0.005; trend: p<0.001).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA465934
Entities
People
- Norma S. Ketchum
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory