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Armed Forces: Agent Orange

Answer

The published peer reviewed evidence is of sufficient quality and quantity to recognise a statistical association between exposure to Agent Orange and chronic lymphatic leukaemia, soft tissue sarcoma, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chloracne. There is limited evidence of an association with respiratory cancer, prostate cancer, multiple myeloma and porphyria cutanea tarda. Limited evidence means that the studies are not consistent in outcome and that the possibility that the findings might be due to chance or bias cannot be ruled out. These associations have only been recognised in heavily exposed populations. Currently, the scientific evidence does not support the conclusion that associations between exposures and adverse health effects are causal. Since 2005, MoD officials have been in regular contact with the Canadian authorities on the facts surrounding the spraying of Agent Orange at Gagetown in 1966 and 1967. We have followed closely the Canadian Government's initiative announced in August 2005. This had three main tasks: first, to establish those present, including foreign military units, at Gagetown since 1952 and including in 1966 and 1967; secondly, to review the history and science of herbicide spraying; and thirdly, to assess the health risks from the herbicides based on the products used and likely exposure dose. Much of this work has been reported or final reports are awaited. Scrutiny of the published peer reviewed evidence on Agent Orange and its adverse health effects has been carried out by MoD officials. The Canadian authorities have provided information on UK units present at Gagetown in 1966 and 1967 and details of locations and areas sprayed and of weather conditions. Findings of the Canadian study so far are that the exposure to Agent Orange resulting from normal activities during 1966 and 1967 was very low and unlikely to increase risk of adverse health. We will continue to monitor results emerging from the Canadian project.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

1878; 689 c283-4WA

Session

2006-07

Subjects

Armed forces Canada Health hazards Weedkillers

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk