Viet Nam, US to hold international meet on dioxin

HA NOI — Viet Nam and the US will jointly organise a four-day scientific conference on human health and environmental effects of Agent Orange in Ha Noi from March 3.

The US National Institute of Environment and Health Sciences (NIEH) says the conference will offer scientists world-wide opportunities to exchange scientific information on the effects of Agent Orange.

They will also discuss measures to reduce the hazards, evaluate available dioxin-related research results and define requirements for further research.

NIEH said that the conference will mark the start of joint scientific research on the impact of defoliants sprayed by the US Air Force during the war in Viet Nam.

It is also expected to lay the foundation for further bilateral co-operation projects in this field, and seek funding for future projects.

It’s estimated that 72 million litres of chemicals, including 44 million litres of Agent Orange, containing 170kg of dioxin had been sprayed between 1961 and 1971 in Viet Nam.

Dioxin is an extremely poisonous chemical that causes cancer, immune system malfunction and birth defects.

When the American War ended in 1975, over two million were found affected by toxic chemicals, mainly Agent Orange.

In the first decade after the war, about 50,000 children were born with deformities and major disabilities to parents affected by toxic chemicals. — VNS

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