Investigation on Ratios of Some Common Diseases and Health Risks Relating to Dioxin Exposure in Da Nang, Vietnam

Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin has potent, long-term, and serious effects on human health. It is capable of all parts of the body, causing cancer and diabetes; damaging the skin, liver, thyroid, immune system, respiratory system, circulatory system, digestive system, endocrine system, nervous system, cardiovascular system, and lungs; and causing mutations in genes and chromosomes, thereby causing birth defects and reproductive complications. This study aimed to analyze the status of disease patterns and health risks of people in Thanh Khe district (TK group) residing near areas where AO/dioxin was stored in Da Nang airport, compared with people in Son Tra district (ST control group), Da Nang city. This is a survey of 402 families residing in the TK group and 400 families residing in the ST group. Individuals in the age group 45–69 years accounted for a high proportion, of whom women accounted for the majority; the duration of residency was stable and long, typically more than 15 years in both groups. People in the TK group who had direct and indirect exposure to AO/dioxin accounted for a higher proportion than in the ST group. The incidence of some diseases that are thought to be related to AO/dioxin exposure, were hypertension (33.6%), diabetes mellitus (8.96%), and other diseases such as those of the stomach (23.0 %), joints (40.3%), ear/nose/throat (11.2%), and urinary system (7.21%) compared with the ST group. Exposure to AO/dioxin has changed the disease pattern and increased some diseases in people residing near areas where AO/dioxin was previously stored.