New Support from Columbia University! Agent Orange Exposure!

4th Issue - download now

 Note: 4th Issue of our C-123/Agent Orange newsletter, now available for download. 5 pages, 13 MB. Click here!

--------------Today's Exciting Developments------------

Just received from Columbia University's School of Public Health - their comprehensive analysis of the VA's voodoo science anti-veteran position regarding our Agent Orange exposure from the toxic C-123s we flew and maintained!

In it, the university destroys the VA's invention of "dry dioxin transfer", and also confirms the original toxicity reports described in the 1994 Air Force Museum study done on Patches (Tail #362). Columbia reports, stating that "there is every likelihood you have been exposed" and "the extent and manner is analogous to that experienced by many Vietnam veterans." Elsewhere the writer states "it is highly likely that you and other crew members were exposed to herbicides and their highly toxic contaminant dioxin.

And here is the clincher: "These statements (by the VA), to be blunt, are technically flawed and show insufficient understanding of surface contamination and its potential toxic effects, as well as the various routes of entry of toxic substances. The VA statements appear to have been made without any knowledge of standard practice for assessment of contaminated surfaces and uses terminology, like 'dried Agent Orange residue,' that does not reflect insight into the nature of surface contamination."

And finally, "The inconsistency in the VA's policy with respect to military herbicide exposures is not defensible. No minimal levels of exposure to herbicides have been set for veterans who served in-country... and exposures have NOT been limited to dioxin." Remember here that the VA in December said while we "may" have flown contaminated airplanes, there likely wasn't enough dioxin left on them after Vietnam to cause long-term health effects. It has always been the case (except for this new VA idea) that dioxin contamination equals dioxin exposure - and the VA is wildly off-base to invent anything otherwise.

This letter and the earlier ATSDR letter don't leave much doubt, do they? The VA position has been hammered by every knowledgeable professional who has taken the time to look into it, and their position against us simply falls apart. True, they have all the cards regarding making a decision to treat us or not, but it is totally clear that any decision to prevent our dioxin-injured crews and maintenance folks from getting care is a VA policy and budget decision, not a decision based on law, science or regulation!

Mr. Secretary, "Boots on the Airplane" for presumptive Agent Orange exposure - that's all we ask.