Acute leukemia in children linked to exposure to Agent Orange

[Guest guest]

Admittedly, this is not linked to CLL, but interesting

all the same:

US Government Report Links Agent Orange to Fatal

Childhood Leukemia

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has reported a link

between the herbicide known as Agent Orange and an

increase in the incidence of acute myelogenous

leukemia (AML) in the children of veterns exposed to

the chemical. Agent Orange was used by the ton

during the war to defoliate vegetation were enemy

soldiers were suspected of hiding.

The IOM indicated there is " limited suggestive

evidence " of a connection between vetern's exposure to

Agent Orange and AML in their progeny. The Vetern's

Administration responded within hours by ordering the

department to set up procedures to offer benefits for

the affected children. Since the disease is fatal

about 60% of the time, and the exposure occured in the

1960s and 1970s, few beneficiaries are expected to be

helped by any new program.

See the full article at:

http://www.medscape.com/reuters/prof/2001/04/04.20/20010419epid002.html

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