Effects of dioxin exposure on reproductive and thyroid hormone levels and male sexual function in airbase military workers in Vietnam.

Dioxins are endocrine disruptors that may disturb male sexual and reproductive function. Studies on human populations are limited, and their results are controversial. This study evaluated the impact of dioxin exposure on reproductive and thyroid hormone levels and sexual function in men.

Serum dioxin concentrations in military workers at three dioxin-contaminated airbases in Vietnam.

An estimated 91,998,400 L of herbicides were stocked at three US airbases in Vietnam between 1962 and 1971. These herbicides were contaminated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-tetraCDD). In 2017, we sampled blood from 120 male Vietnamese military workers in the three dioxin-contaminated airbases (Bien Hoa, Da Nang, and Phu Cat) and from 20 workers at an uncontaminated airbase.