dr. dwernychuk's comment

8/10/2019 Dr. Dwernychuk's comment

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(Dr.Wayne Dwernychuk)

E-mail (72981

25

2Former

Kadena Airfield(25)Soil Investigation Survey(Part 2) : Survey Report Executive Summary

2014.10

TCDDTCDD

[]2,4-D n2,4,5-T n

50:50

2,4-D

2,4,5-T

[]

2,4,5-T2,4,5-T

2,4,5-T2,4,D

(15)


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The extent and patterns of usage of Agent Or ange and other herbicides in Vietnam

(Jeanne Mager Stellman et al. Nature, Volume 422, Pages 681-687). See attachment.

422, 681-687

682 1herbicides

2

1 2.4-D n 2,4-5T n 50:50[

] 22,4-D n 2,4,5-T

50:50[] 1

[]1965-1970

2[]4500

2[

]1968(?) 300

2,4,5-T

50:50

[]equality

-------

2,4-D 2,4,5-T 50:50

/

TCDD 2,4,5-T

/

Wayne


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[1961-1971]

* 2,4,5-T n- 60%

2,4,5-T 40%

1961;64

* 2,4,5-T n- 100%

* 2,4-D n- 50%

2,4,5-T n- 30%

2,4,5-T 20%

1962-65

*

2,4-D n- 50%

2,4,5-T n-

50%

1965-1970

*

2,4-D n- 50%

2,4,5-T 40%

1968

2,4-D -

80% 20%

1966-1971

()

1962-1964

()21%

+ 26%

1964-1971

*TCDD


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E-mail to Masami Kawamura, Director, Citizens Network for Biodiversity in Okinawa

(July 29, Aug 1)

I have reviewed the document regarding the chemical analyses of samples taken at

Okinawa Soccer Field.

Results indicate that although dioxin (TCDD) was detected, it was suggested that its

presence was not related specifically to Agent Orange. This conclusion was based on

the fact that their analyses did not reveal the presence of 2,4-D n-Butyl Ester and

2,4,5-T n-Butyl Ester these being the components of Agent Orange in a 50:50

concentration ratio.

2,4-D was detected inbankand stagnant water, with 2,4,5-T also being detected with

the statements given in the report:

It may not have been the military that was responsible for the ingredients here in

drums 2,4,5-T. In Japan, we locally manufacture a large amount of 2,4,5-T, the Dow

Chemical Company had a display drum of this, which has been sprayed in large

amounts onto forests and has been known to be mixed with 2,4-D with 2,4,5-T present

as well. (page 15 of the report).

My interpretation being that some of these determined chemicals were the result of local

usage for killing trees and not connected in any way to military use of Agent Orange.

Although I find the report quite comprehensive with a robust design, I do have a

concern and that is the completeness of the chemicals selected for determination.

Please see the publication:

The extent and patterns of usage of Agent Or ange and other herbicides in Vietnam

(Jeanne Mager Stellman et al. Nature, Volume 422, Pages 681-687). See attachment.

Table 1 outlines the herbicides used during the Viet Nam conflict (page 682). Therein,

Stellman et al. tabulates that there were two types of Agent Orange one with a

50:50 composition of 2,4-D n-Butyl Ester and 2,4,5-T n-Butyl Ester the second

being a 50:50 composition of 2,4-D n-Butyl Ester and 2,4,5-T n-Isooctyl Ester.


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The first mixture was employed 1965-1970 (with an estimated usage of over 45 million

litres with some possibly being of the second mixture). The second mixture was

employed after 1968 (?) with the exact quantity not known, however, over 3 million

litres were known to have been shipped from manufacturers.

Given the report does not address one of the major components of Agent Orange II, that

being 2,4,5-T n-Isooctyl Ester, I am of the opinion that the conclusions in the report, of

no Agent Orange involvement related to the composition of the buried drums, cannot be

made unequivocally by the authors of this report. As for focusing on the equality of

the chemical, wherein a 50:50 ration should be observed in analyses, this is irrelevant

given the decades of burial and probable variability in chemical degradation rates given

whatever in-situenvironmental variables were present in the vicinity of the buried

drums (e.g., temperature, moisture, interaction with other compounds, etc.)

-------

My feeling is that the question of whether or not any of the drums contained the

specific Agent Orange mixture of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T in a 50:50 ratio of concentration

may only be of a secondary consideration/importance. What is primary in my mind is

the presence of dioxins, particularly TCDD the dioxin congener specific to the 2,4,5-T

fraction of the AO mixture. Focusing intently on Agent Orange specifically tends to

detract from the reality of the situation wherein it is the dioxins which are and should be

of major concern. Denials by authorities of the actual presence of AO in any of these

drums will undoubtedly carry on. However, one cannot refute the presence of dioxins

and their association with potential health concerns. This aspect of the issue should be

the primary consideration.

Wayne

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