IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 7, 2012

No. 12-03
Contact: Mokie Porter
301-585-4000, Ext. 146

Vietnam Veterans of America to EPA:
Release the Dioxin Document Now

(Washington, D.C.) Adding Vietnam Veterans of America’s voice to the chorus clamoring for the long-delayed release of the non-cancer segment of the Dioxin Reassessment document by the Environmental Protection Agency, John Rowan, National President of VVA, made VVA’s position crystal clear.

In a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Rowan wrote, “Any further delay would constitute an injustice to the American people, who have a right to know the truth about dioxin.

“As Vietnam veterans, we know only too well the insidious, long-term health impacts of this highly toxic compound on the health of our brother and sister veterans, and now on the health of their children and grandchildren. We have lost too many, too soon, from the effects of our wartime exposures to dioxin and dioxin-like compounds. We will not stand for the same to happen to our fellow citizens.

“We urge the EPA to ignore the pressures of those industry groups who are deliberately indifferent to the health impact of these poisons,” Rowan said, citing in particular the American Chemistry Council that is lobbying to delay the release of the non-cancer Dioxin Reassessment. “Clearly, the profits of one irresponsible part of one industry must not take precedence over the health and welfare of the citizens of our nation,” Rowan wrote.

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