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CANADIAN REPORT DOWNPLAYS HEALTH IMPACT OF AGENT ORANGE

SPRAYING AT GAGETOWN BASE -- Says that only those involved

in the mixing, spraying and clearing of brush need worry

about potential health effects.

 

 

Background on veterans' fight here...
 http://www.vawatchdog.org/old%20newsflashes%20OCT%2006/newsflash10-10-2006-5.htm

Background on government promises here...
 http://www.vawatchdog.org/old%20newsflashes%20AUG%2006/newsflash08-12-2006-2.htm

Story here... http://www.cbc.ca/cp/health/061207/x120711A.html

Story below:

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Scientific report downplays health impact of herbicide sprays at N.B. base

 

OROMOCTO, N.B. (CP) - A new study into the spraying of Agent Orange and other herbicides at a New Brunswick army base has concluded that only those involved in the mixing, spraying and clearing of brush need worry about potential health effects.

The conclusion, released Thursday by a federal fact-finding mission into spraying at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, was determined by independent researchers with Cantox Environmental Inc.

They found that toxins in defoliants used at the base from the mid-1950s to the late 1960s should be of concern only to those who were directly involved in the spraying in what they termed "extreme, worst-case scenarios."

The researchers said that people living in areas surrounding the base and the vast majority of soldiers who worked and trained at the base over the years have nothing to worry about.

"The soldiers training there today are safe," said Dennis Furlong, co-ordinator of the fact-finding mission.

"Historically, people living in the vicinity of Base Gagetown had negligible risks. The people who were on the base during the process of this spray appear to have negligible risks, unless they were in direct contact with the product, delivery of the product or exposure to the product. Then they may have an augmented risk."

The risks from exposure to the contaminants in the sprays - dioxin and hexachlorobenzene - are for the long-term development of such illnesses as cancer, liver function problems and reproductive and hormonal disorders.

Officials with the base are unsure how many people could be at risk as a result of direct involvement in the sprays.

"We have the complete results of who might have been on the base from 1952 to present, but we don't have the number of folks who might have been in the training area at the time during our annual spray," said Col. Ryan Jestin, base commander.

"We're trying to make it more precise."

The findings are the latest in a series of scientific reports that have significantly narrowed health concerns over the widespread spraying of chemical herbicides at the largest military training base in Canada.

Two earlier reports on human health risks arising from the spraying determined there are almost no health hazards.

People seeking compensation for the Gagetown spray programs want the government to consider the broadest possible impact, on both civilian and military populations that may have been only indirectly involved.

"The decision on compensation will be made in the House of Commons," said Gagetown veteran Wayne Cardinal.

"I don't know how anybody could take a look at the number of people sick and affected here and not have a compassionate heart and favour the veterans and civilians involved. . . . Deep down in my heart, I have a feeling we are going to be looked after."

In the late 1960s, the U.S. Defence Department tested Agent Orange, Agent Purple and a rainbow of other defoliants at the base, raising alarms that Canadians involved in the tests could suffer the same health problems as veterans of the Vietnam War, where millions of litres of herbicides were sprayed to clear jungle.

But scientists say a key element in determining health effects from the harmful substances is the level of exposure - and levels were much lighter in Canada than in Vietnam.

The researchers said civilians living near the base and military trainees who have been on the base in subsequent years would have no more of the contaminants in their systems than the general population.

Fredericton Liberal MP Andy Scott urged the federal Conservative government to decide quickly on compensation.

"Many of the veterans are sick and elderly and have various health complications they believe is due to elevated exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides," Scott said.

"They should be considered for compensation as quickly as possible."

So far, the Veterans' Affairs Department has approved five disability pensions related to spraying at CFB Gagetown. It has also awarded pensions to 27 Canadian peacekeepers who served in Vietnam, most of whom came forward as a result of news media coverage of the Gagetown spraying.

Veterans Affairs Minister Greg Thompson has promised to take a proposal for a compensation package to the federal cabinet by early next year at the latest.

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Larry Scott