Media Type

Electronic Media

Physical Location

Cold Vault CS65.3K

Number of Media

1

Language(s)

English

Format

CD

Digitized in HD?

No

General Note

Preliminary Assessment of Environmental Impacts Related to Spraying of Agent Orange Herbicide During the Vietnam War

During the Vietnam War, over 72 million litres of herbicide was applied over southern Vietnam in attempts to deprive northern Vietnamese troops of protective forest cover and food. Agent Orange accounted for approximately 60% of all herbicide used during the conflict. Dioxin (specifically 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) was a contaminant in the Agent Orange mixture.

Hatfield Consultants Ltd., through a collaborative effort with the Vietnamese government 10-80 Committee, Hanoi, assessed the levels of dioxin residue in the environment. Studies on the food chain and human contamination were performed in the Aluoi Valley of central Vietnam. The Aluoi Valley was an integral portion of the Ho Chi Minh trail through which supplies were transported from northern to southern Vietnam.

Results show the existence of dioxin in soils, sediment, fish tissues, and humans (i.e. blood) living in contaminated areas of the valley. Twenty-seven years after herbicide applications ceased in the valley, dioxin residues remain in the environment and are being transported up the food chain to humans. People born after the war have dioxin residues in their blood indicating the environment is a major conduit for the transport of these chemicals to human beings.

This CD-ROM contains the Hatfield and 10-80 Committee final report with appendices.


T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
Preface
Executive Summary
Acknowledgements

Introduction

Historical Perspective – Agent Orange in Viet Nam
Present Day Environmental Situation in Viet Nam
Rationale for this Study
Project Team

Study Approach and Objectives

Literature Review – A Focus on Viet Nam

Herbicide Spraying
Herbicide Chemicals
Dioxins and Furans
Structure of Dioxins and Furans
Toxicity Equivalency Factors (TEFs) and Toxic Equivalent (TEQ) Herbicides and Human Health
General Concerns over Human Health
Dioxin Levels in the Vietnamese
Environmental Impacts of War-related Herbicides in Viet Nam
Ecological Effects Preliminary Concerns and Opinions
Vietnamese Response to Ecological Effects Dioxin Contamination
Water
Soils and Sediments
Terrestrial Flora excluding Forests
Aquatic Ecosystems and Fisheries
Wildlife, Livestock and Human Food
Aluoi Valley Dioxin Assessment

Introduction
Field Methodology and Sample Collection
Background
Quality Assurance and Quality Control(QA/QC)
Sampling Methodologies
Soils
Fish Pond, Bomb Crater Pond and River Sediments
Fish Tissues
Vegetation
Livestock and Fowl
Human Blood
Analytical Methods
General
Polychlorinated Dioxins and Furans in Soil and Tissues Samples
Polychlorinated Dioxins and Furans in Whole Human Blood
PCBs and Chlorinated Pesticides in Soil and Tissue Samples
Phenoxy Acid Herbicides in Soil and Sediment
Results
Dioxins - 1996 Expedition
Dioxins - 1997 Expedition
Pesticides/Herbicides/PCBs
Discussion
General
Dioxins
Soils
River Sediments
Fishpond Sediments
Fish Tissues
Manioc/Pig/Duck Tissues
Human Blood
Pesticides/Herbicides/PCBs
Soils
Biological Tissues
Human Health
Radarsat Remote Sensing

Introduction
Study Design and Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusions

Conclusions

Recommendations

References
T A B L E S


Table 1.1 Summary of project funding/in-kind agencies, programs, program objectives
and program reports.

Table 4.1 Sample media collected from Viet Nam, January 1996 and exported to Canada.
Samples analyzed for dioxins/furans, select pesticides, herbicides and PCBs.

Table 4.2 Sample media collected from Viet Nam, November 1997.

Table 4.3 Concentrations of dioxin and furan congeners in soil, fishpond sediment and
animal tissues (pg/g dry weight [soils], pg/g wet weight [biological tissues]), central
Viet Nam, January 1996.

Table 4.4 Concentrations of dioxin and furan congeners in soil, fishpond sediment,
animal tissues and whole human blood, (pg/g dry weight [soils], pg/g wet weight
[biological tissues]), central and southern Viet Nam, November 1997.

Table 4.5 Pesticide residues (ng/g dry weight [soils]; wet weight [biological tissues])
in samples collected from Viet Nam, January 1996 and November 1997 (in italics).
Values in parentheses represent levels on a lipid basis.

Table 4.6 Herbicide residues (ng/g dry weight) in samples collected from Viet Nam,
January 1996.

Table 4.7 PCB residues (ng/g dry weight [soils]; wet weight [biological tissues]) in
samples collected from central Viet Nam, January 1996 and November 1997 (in italics).

F I G U R E S


Figure 1.1 Aerial herbicide spray missions in southern Viet Nam, 1965 to 1971
(Source: US Dept. of the Army).

Figure 3.1 2,3,7,8-T4CDD (ppt, lipid basis) in human blood from different countries;
data from Schecter et al. (1992b).

Figure 3.2 2,3,7,8-T4CDD (ppt, lipid basis) in pooled human breast milk from different
localities of Viet Nam in 1985 to 1990 (Source: Schecter 1994b).

Figure 4.1 Herbicide spray missions, Aluoi Valley, Viet Nam (1965-1970).

Figure 4.2 Aluoi Valley, Viet Nam, herbicide distribution/frequency of spray missions
(1965-1970).

Figure 4.3 Sampling locations, Viet Nam, 1996 (Hatfield Consultants Ltd. and 10-80
Committee).

Figure 4.4 Aluoi Valley, Viet Nam, sampling locations, 1996 (Hatfield Consultants Ltd.
and 10-80 Committee).

Figure 4.5 Sampling locations, Viet Nam, 1997 (Hatfield Consultants Ltd. and 10-80
Committee).

Figure 4.6 Aluoi Valley, Viet Nam, sampling locations, 1997 (Hatfield Consultants Ltd.
and 10-80 Committee).

Figure 4.7 Concentrations of 2,3,7,8-T4CDD and Total-TEQ in surficial soils and aquatic
sediments collected from various locations in central Viet Nam, January 1996.

Figure 4.8 Concentrations of 2,3,7,8-T4CDD and Total-TEQ in biological tissues collected
from Aluoi Valley (exposed sites) and Con Cuong (reference sites), Viet Nam, January 1996.

Figure 4.9 Concentrations of 2,3,7,8-T4CDD and Total-TEQ in fishpond sediments
(pg/g dry weight) and biological tissues (pg/g wet weight), A So, Aluoi Valley, central
Viet Nam, November 1997.

Figure 4.10 Concentrations of 2,3,7,8-T4CDD and Total-TEQ in surficial soils, A So,
Aluoi Valley, central Viet Nam, November 1997.

Figure 4.11 Concentrations of 2,3,7,8-T4CDD and Total-TEQ in aquatic sediments and soil,
Ma Da forest region, southern Viet Nam, November 1997.

Figure 4.12 Concentrations of 2,3,7,8-T4CDD and Total-TEQ in whole human blood
(lipid portion), A So, Aluoi Valley, central Viet Nam, November 1997.

Figure 4.13 2,3,7,8-T4CDD (ppt, lipid basis) in pooled blood from different localities of
Viet Nam, 1987 to 1992 (Dai et al. 1994a, 1995; Schecter 1992a, 1994b) and 1997
(this study).

Figure 4.14 2,3,7,8-T4CDD as % of Total TEQ in pooled blood from different localities
of Viet Nam, 1987 to 1992 (Dai et al. 1994a, 1995; Schecter 1992a, 1994b) and 1997
(this study).

P L A T E S


Plate 1.1 Section of Aluoi Valley, looking west to Laos, approximately 5 km south of the
main valley road junction which runs east to Hue (cf. Figure 4.4). The area shown above
consisted primarily of natural forest prior to the Viet Nam war. Presently, vegetation in this
region consists of low-grade trees, vines, bushes, bamboo and grasses.

Plate 1.2 Section of Aluoi Valley, looking northeast up the valley, from a position at the
extreme right on Plate 1.1. Note the denuded slopes and scrub vegetation in the valley.

Plate 2.1 Meeting with Aluoi Health Department personnel to discuss the proposed
sampling program, 1995.

Plate 2.2 Workshop held with 10-80 Committee to discuss sampling protocols, 1995.

Plate 2.3 Near the airstrip of the former airbase at A So (looking west to Laos).

Plate 2.4 Recording sampling locations using Global Positioning System (GPS).

Plate 3.1 Aerial view of mangrove forests in the Rung Sat area of southern Viet Nam;
the area pictured did not receive herbicide applications during the war (1969 photo
courtesy of Dr. E.W. Pfeiffer).

Plate 3.2 Aerial view of mangrove forests in the Rung Sat area of southern Viet Nam
subsequent to herbicide applications (photo taken in 1969; herbicide applications
occurred in the early to mid 1960’s[pers. comm. Dr. E.W. Pfeiffer]; photo courtesy of
Dr. E.W. Pfeiffer).

Plate 3.3 Mangrove in southern Viet Nam (Rung Sat area) subsequent to herbicide
applications (photo taken in 1969; herbicide applications occurred in the early to
mid 1960’s; pers. comm. Dr. E.W. Pfeiffer).

Plate 3.4 Mangrove in southern Viet Nam (Rung Sat area) subsequent to herbicide
applications (photo taken in 1969; herbicide applications occurred in the early to mid
1960’s; pers. comm. Dr. E.W. Pfeiffer).

Plate 4.1 A So village, Aluoi Valley, looking east towards Hue.

Plate 4.2 A So village, Aluoi Valley, looking west towards Laos.

Plate 4.3 Remnants of A So Special Forces Base; collection of soil samples using
stainless steel sampling device.

Plate 4.4 Collection of scrap metal from the war period is a dangerous yet common
practice in Aluoi Valley.

Plate 4.5 Small children from Aluoi Valley.

Plate 4.6 Local Aluoi resident with woven basket commonly used for carrying wood
and other items.

Plate 4.7 Sampling river sediments at Con Cuong, our reference sampling area.

Plate 4.8 Village of Con Cuong.

Plate 4.9 Peoples’ Committee Meeting, Gio An, 1997.

Plate 4.10 Recording sampling data in the field.

Plate 4.11 Soil sampling in farmer’s field, Aluoi (note barren hills in background).

Plate 4.12 Soil core sample, collected to a maximum depth of 30 cm.

Plate 4.13 Fishpond sediment sample collected in Aluoi Valley.

Plate 4.14 Depositional sediment sampling area, A Sap River, Aluoi Valley.

Plate 4.15 Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), an important cultured fish in Aluoi.

Plate 4.16 Collection of grass carp from local fishponds.

Plate 4.17 Fish dissection, including removal of skin and muscle tissue.

Plate 4.18 Collection of manioc in Con Cuong.

Plate 4.19 Sampling pig liver tissue, Aluoi Valley.

Plate 4.20 Dissection and sampling of duck tissues.

Plate 4.21 Dissection and sampling of chicken muscle.

Plate 4.22 Collection of blood samples from volunteer patient.

Plate 4.23 Blood samples collected in Aluoi Valley.

Plate 4.24 Observed in Aluoi Valley – Polydactylism.

Plate 4.25 Observed in Aluoi Valley – Mental retardation and physical deformities.

Plate 5.1 Overview, Aluoi Valley, Central Viet Nam.

Plate 5.2 Aluoi Valley, Central Viet Nam.

Plate 5.3 Detail, Northern Aluoi Valley.

Plate 5.4 Quang Tri Province and Former DMZ, Central Viet Nam.

Plate 5.5 Dong Hai/Con Thien, Central Viet Nam.

Plate 5.6 Overview, Ma Da Upland Forest, Southern Viet Nam.

Plate 5.7 Ma Da Upland Forest, Southern Viet Nam.

Plate 5.8 Overview, Ca Mau Peninsula, Southern Viet Nam.

Plate 5.9 Ca Mau Peninsula, Southern Viet Nam (1973).