From 1971-1982, Air Force reservists, who flew in 34 dioxin-contaminated aircraft used to spray Agent Orange and returned to the U.S. following discontinuation of the herbicide spraying operations in the Vietnam War, were exposed to greater levels of dioxin than previously acknowledged, according to a study published today in Environmental Research by senior author Jeanne Mager Stellman, PhD, professor emerita at the Mailman School of Public Health’s Department of Health Policy and Management.
These aircraft were subsequently returned to the U.S. and were used by Air Force reserve units between 1971 and 1982 for transport operations. After many years without monitoring, tests revealed the presence of dioxin (also known as TCDD). All but three of the aircraft were smelted down in 2009.
The Air Force and Department of Veterans Affairs have previously denied benefits to these crew members. http://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/blue-water-navy.html
http://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/air-force-aircraft-returned-vietnam-postwar-source-agent-orange-contamination.html
