Agent Orange/ Dioxin Committee 2011
BY ALAN OATES, CHAIR
The Agent Orange/Dioxin and Other Toxic Substances (AO/DOTS) Committee respectfully submits its 2011 report. This is an honest report that includes our failures to address every resolution. The committee does not have the manpower or resources to address all the important issues. We hope to find the right mix of resources to support our work on the most important Agent Orange issues. Birth defects in children of veterans and the impact of Agent Orange on our veterans are our priorities.
AO-1-03 Research on Agent Orange/ Dioxin Effects demands that Congress, the VA, and other appropriate federal agencies initiate and support an independent comprehensive health study on veterans and their children. VVA has pushed for completion of the National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study (NVVLS). On September 14, 2009, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced plans to begin additional research to better understand the health consequences of service in Vietnam. The plans call for the longitudinal study to be conducted between 2011 and 2013. In addition, the AO/DOTS Committee has held many meetings and phone conferences on the issue of birth defects in the children of veterans. We presented a white paper —available at http://www.vva.org/Committees/AgentOrange — to the VVA National Officers and Board of Directors asking that VVA take action on this issue. The committee worked with VVA staff to draft legislation to address research for toxic-exposed veterans and their offspring.
AO-2-03 Agent Orange/Dioxin Children’s Registry; Recognizing the Connection Between Dioxin & Learning Disabled Children calls upon Congress and the VA to recognize the work of Birth Defect Research for Children and encourages the organization to continue its work. The resolution encourages chapters to educate members about the dangers of AO exposure and requests Congress to enact legislation that will mandate that the VA compensate affected children. The birth defects issue has been given the highest priority. The committee chair has promoted BDRC in several columns in The VVA Veteran and on the VVA website. The committee worked with VVA staff to draft legislation that addresses treatment and research for the offspring of toxic-exposed veterans.
AO-4-95 VVA Agent Orange/Dioxin Guide mandates biennial revision and distribution of the guide. We are happy to report that the VVA Agent Orange Guide is up to date and available as a PDF file on VVA’s website. The printed version of the VVA guide was updated and is being reprinted.
AO-5-03 Assure Proper Implementation of the Agent Orange Act 1991: The title of this resolution implies a broader concern than just the make-up and integrity of the committees or panels that conduct reviews of the health issues of veterans exposed to Agent Orange and other tactical herbicides. Over the past year, the committee has reviewed research, developed position papers, provided staff with input for VVA presentations to the NAS, and presented information to NAS on an ongoing basis. The committee is concerned that the VA has not implemented or complied with other portions of the Agent Orange Act of 1991, especially in regard to conducting studies, collecting clinical data, and following statutory requirements to publish decisions and rules in accordance with the act. The committee has monitored the processing of Nehmer claims for the three new Agent Orange presumptive diseases and has voiced concerns about the percentage of newer claims processed compared to the number of older claims.
AO-6-03 Dioxin Disposal Methods opposes ocean dumping of dioxin-contaminated materials and supports research on improved disposal methods. The AO/DOTS Committee has taken no action on this issue. We plan to review this resolution at the next committee meeting.
AO-7-95 Children’s Health Care supports comprehensive health care and compensation for children who have suffered birth defects as a result of a parent’s exposure to Agent Orange/dioxin and other toxic chemicals while in military service. The committee has worked with VVA staff to draft relevant legislation.
AO-8-95 Agent Orange/Dioxin Network calls for the committee to develop Agent Orange/Dioxin symposia at VVA Leadership Conferences and to develop questionnaires to record and measure the health status of VVA members and their families. The AO/DOTS Committee conducted a session at the 2010 Leadership Conference.
AO-9-95 Papermaking Manufacturing Processes encourages the development of alternate paper manufacturing techniques that reduce dioxin production. We have taken no action on this issue.
AO-10-95 Ban the Manufacturing, Sale, and Use of 2,4-D The committee reviewed EPA actions in regard to 2,4-D but found no opportunities to address the banning of 2,4-D.
AO-11-95 U.S. Treatment for Vietnamese Birth-Defect Children: VVA has met with the Ford Foundation and Aspen Institute about Agent Orange issues facing the Vietnamese people and their children. The AO/DOTS Committee has not taken direct action on this issue; rather, it has concentrated on birth-defects issues in the children of American veterans. The Committee wants to ensure that the children of these veterans exposed to toxins while in service are not left behind or forgotten. The committee voted to ask that the resolution be retired at this year’s Convention.
AO-12-03 National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Funding for Research in Vietnam supports increased funding for health-related studies in Vietnam. The committee has had limited contact with NIEHS. Linda Birnbaum, the director of NIEHS, presented strong testimony before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. She has been invited to address the VVA Board of Directors.
AO-13-03 Agent Orange/Dioxin Awareness Month promotes October as Agent Orange Awareness Month and encourages promotion of the Agent Orange flag. The AO/DOTS Committee has not addressed this issue in specific detail. The committee has been responsible for creating awareness by providing the news media with people for interviews and background information on Agent Orange issues. The committee supports and recognizes VVA’s “Faces of Agent Orange” program. More awareness efforts are needed.
HC-1-03 Government’s Responsibility for Veterans’ Right To Know hopes to ensure that the injuries and deaths caused by military toxic exposures will never happen again. VVA will investigate all aspects of Project 112, promote full disclosure of our findings to the public, and hold accountable by agency and individual those responsible for injuries and deaths. This resolution was transferred to the AO/DOTS Committee, which has not yet taken action on the resolution. The committee is looking into the issue of the task force mentioned in the resolution.
The Agent Orange/Dioxin and Other Toxic Substances (AO/DOTS) Committee: Alan Oates, Chair; George Newell, Bill Dumsick, and John Weiss, Vice Chairs. Members: Wayne Cartier, Bob Caswell, George Claxton, James Cripp, Billee Culin, Mike Demske, Stan Goodwill, Alan Grant, Ken Holybee, Darrel Martin, Luther Newberry, Francis Rowan, Nathaniel Washington, William Whaley, and Sandie Wilson. Special Advisors: Linda Schwartz, Ph.D., Paul Sutton, Nancy Switzer, and Patsy Varnell. Staff Coordinators: Bernie Edelman and Mokie Porter.
Agent Orange ... 