US says Agent Orange hit more Gls than reported

September 28, 1981

Substantially more Vietnam veterans than once thought may have been exposed to the battle one defoliant Agent Orange. Health and Human Services Secretary Richard Schweiker did not estimate the number of people who may have been exposed. But he said a group studying the herbicide use found additional exposures occurred in 41 aborted spraying missions in which thousands of gallons had to be dumped, and in spraying along perimeters of military bases.

The government previously maintained the only 1,200 military personnel were heavily exposed.