Agent Orange – Causes of Lung Cancer

The Link Between Agent Orange And Lung Cancer

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in conjunction with other governmental agencies has carried out studies in regards to Agent Orange exposure and its effects on veterans. The agency acknowledges the fact that there is a correlation between Agent Orange and lung cancer, as well as other respiratory cancers and diseases.

In particular, a report published by The National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) in 1993 (updated in 2018) titled, Veterans and Agent Orange Exposure, suggests a correlation between exposure to Agent Orange and lung cancer. The NASEM also disclosed that the relationship between dioxin and respiratory cancer development was evident only in cases where exposure to the chemicals was in high concentrations and for extended periods of time.

According to The American Cancer Society, research conducted in regards to Vietnam veterans and the development of respiratory cancers has not resulted in data that shows an increase in the amount of veteran respiratory cancer cases. There are, however, other respected organizations that have classified dioxin as “known to be a human carcinogen.” 

Additionally, studies of industrial accidents in California and Germany showed an increase in respiratory cancer incidence. Collectively the research data shows a low probability of an increase in lung cancer diagnosis except in cases where dioxin exposure is involved.

The Department of Veteran’s Affairs acknowledges that there are a number of various Agent Orange-related conditions aside from lung cancer. Some of these diseases include the following: 

• Other respiratory cancers, including lung cancer
• Acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy
• Chloracne
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
• Diabetes mellitus (type II)
• Hodgkin’s disease
• Multiple myeloma
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Parkinson’s disease
• Porphyria cutanea tarda
• Prostate cancer
• Soft-tissue sarcoma

Note: A disease must be at least 10% disabling to the veteran to receive compensation by law.

The home use of Agent Orange was regulated in 1971 by the U.S. Surgeon General due to its hazardous effects. All applications of the chemical were halted in Vietnam.

In 1991, the Agent Orange Act of 1991 was signed into law to help resolve issues regarding Vietnam veterans and exposure to Agent Orange. The three primary factors of the bill, H.R. 556, include the following:

1. To provide a scientific basis for deciding whether or not to continue further research regarding the effects of herbicide exposure.
2. To establish procedures for determining whether or not certain diseases are associated with Agent Orange exposure. The NASEM would be used to research evidence in regards to possible health effects from Agent Orange used in Vietnam.
   
   
3. To systematize all previous decisions made relative to herbicides and assumptions made in regard to Vietnam service and exposure.

In 2004, Judge Jack Weinstein ruled that companies that manufactured Agent Orange would be exempt from legal liability, through the Military Contractors Doctrine, due to their roles as government contractors and the fact that they followed military guidelines. In 2005, an appeal was filed on behalf of Vietnam veterans. In 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York affirmed the original protection by The Military Contractors Doctrine. Since that ruling, veterans and their families cannot sue companies that manufactured Agent Orange used in the Vietnam War. In 2009, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to review the ruling of the 2008 decision.

Help For Veterans Who Were Exposed To Agent Orange