Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Agent Orange-related Chemical Exposure: Health Effects and Compensation Policy in Korea

한국인에서 고엽제 관련 노출과 건강영향 및 보상정책

  • Yi, Sang-Wook (Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Kwandong University College of Medicine) ;
  • Ohrr, Heechoul (Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Institute of Health Promotion, Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University) ;
  • Lim, Hyun-Sul (Department of Preventive Medicine, Dongguk University College of Medicine)
  • 이상욱 (관동대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 오희철 (연세대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실, 연세대학교 국민건강증진연구소) ;
  • 임현술 (동국의대 예방의학교실)
  • Received : 2013.04.23
  • Accepted : 2013.06.13
  • Published : 2013.06.30
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Abstract

Several US veterans stationed in Korea have told the press that around 250 fifty-five gallon drums of herbicides, including Agent Orange, were buried at Camp Carroll in 1978. Joint Korean-US Agent Orange investigation and environmental and health studies were started in July 2011. Korean soldiers and military personnel who served in Vietnam during 1964-1973 or near the demilitarized zone in Korea during 1967-1970 were exposed to dioxincontaminated Agent Orange. The joint Korean-US Agent Orange investigation team found that herbicides, pesticides, solvents and other chemicals -not Agent Orange- were buried at Camp Carroll. However, there remains the possibility that Agent Orange was stored and buried at Camp Carroll or other military camps in Korea. Adverse health effects have not been clearly explained despite a number of health studies among veterans in Korea with potential Agent Orange exposure. Although the Korean government has been compensating veterans and military personnel with 18 presumptive-service-connected-diseases and their offspring with three diseases, there are many veterans, military personnel and civilians who require the government°Øs support. The environmental study on contaminated sites and health studies among veterans and civilians were initiated three or four decades after possible Agent Orange contamination and exposure. Several toxic chemicals, including dioxin-contaminated Agent Orange, could remain in the environment and could have hazardous effects on the health of exposed people for more than several decades. Further environmental investigations and health studies are needed to ensure public safety and health, and government support should be guaranteed for people potentially exposed to these toxic chemicals.

Keywords

References

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