title: Relation of serum 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) level to hematological examination results in veterans of Operation Ranch Hand.
abstract: The authors studied indices of hematologic function and exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in Vietnam War veterans of Operation Ranch Hand--the Air Force unit responsible for the aerial spraying of Agent Orange and other herbicides in Vietnam. The herbicides were contaminated with TCDD. The authors measured TCDD serum levels in 1987 or later and extrapolated the result to the time of service in Vietnam. The authors studied serum TCDD level in relation to red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, white blood cell count, platelet count, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate at each of 4 physical examinations. Compared with veterans not involved in Operation Ranch Hand, those with the highest TCDD levels in Operation Ranch Hand had mean corpuscular volumes that were about 1% higher and platelet counts that were about 4% higher. These small increases were unlikely to be of clinical significance and may not have been caused by TCDD.
authors.affiliation: Air Force Research Laboratory, Brooks AFB, Texas 78235-5250, USA.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Michalek
authors.forename: F Z
authors.initials: FZ
authors.lastname: Akhtar
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Longnecker
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Burton
mesh_terms: D015085:2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D015084:2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D000075182:Agent Orange; D003678:Defoliants, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood*; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices / Q000187:drug effects*; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010976:Platelet Count; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014728:Veterans; D014744:Vietnam
chemical_list: D003678:Defoliants, Chemical; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; D015084:2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid; D000075182:Agent Orange; D015085:2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid