Agent Orange is the name to which all herbicides are referred (technically) in error during the Vietnam War.  The name, Agent Orange, has become synonymous for, and collective of, all herbicides used during the Vietnam War.  Agent Orange, is also the term used for the harmful effects from herbicides (again, in error).  People don't have Agent Orange disease, rather, a disease, or cancer caused directly or indirectly from exposure to a herbicide.  The name, Agent Orange, was derived from the orange stripe on the 55 gallon drums in which the herbicide was stored.

Agent Orange (Scientifically)

Agent Orange was one of several defoliants (herbicides) containing trace amounts of a toxic contaminant, TCDD (dioxin). Defoliants were used during the Vietnam War to kill vast areas of jungle growth.  The real, Agent Orange, was a 1:1 mixture of the n-butyl esters of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T).  TCDD/dioxin (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin) is a byproduct contaminant of the manufacturing process for 2,4,5-T (used in all the agents during the Vietnam War).  TCDD is commonly referred to as dioxin.

This chart shows the herbicides (agents) used during the Vietnam War, and the amount of TCDD (dioxin) contamination of the agents (per the USAF Herb Tapes):

Vietnam and Agent Orange Facts 

Demand for military Agent Orange resulted in higher levels of dioxin contamination than in the 2,4,5-T produced for civilian applications in the U.S. As noted in the above chart.  

The U.S. Air Force military operation, Ranch Hand, began spraying Agent Orange on areas of South Vietnam in August 1965 (though it was used prior to this date).  

The U.S. Air Force Herb Tapes accounted for over 8 million gallons of the herbicides used in South Vietnam.  

Eighteen (18) million gallons of Agent Orange were reported to have been used in South Vietnam.  

Agent Orange caused Vietnamese farmers to lose about 70% of their crops. (One of the goals for using herbicides was to deprive the enemy of food.) 6250+ square miles of South Vietnam can not be farmed because of defoliation. This is still true decades later.  

A C-123 (Caribou) could dump 11,000 lbs of Agent Orange over 300 acres 

in four minutes.

Brief History of Agent Orange

In the early years of WWII, a grant was provided by the National Research Council to develop a chemical to destroy rice crops in Japan (the major food source of the Japanese). 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T (Agent Orange) was the result. A discussion between President Roosevelt and White House Chief of Staff, Admiral William D. Leahy determined that this heinous chemical should not be used. Agent Orange was not used during WWII.

In 1961, President Kennedy signed two orders allowing Agent Orange to be used in Vietnam. One order to destroy crops, and another order to defoliate the jungle. [Note: These orders were signed prior to major U.S. intervention.]

Agent Orange and other herbicides were used extensively through 1970 (and thereafter until the end of the Vietnam War).

Vietnam Veterans and their families filed a class action suit against seven chemical companies (Dow Chemical, Monsanto, Uniroyal, Hercules, Diamond Shamrock, Thompson Chemical, and T.H. Agriculture). It was settled out of court in May 1984 for victims and families of those exposed to herbicides for $180,000,000 (the lawyers got a staggering 100 million dollars). The amount given to qualifying families was a pittance. Example: A woman whose husband suffered, and eventually died... leaving her and three children was given just over $3,000.00 (you should have been there the day she told me that). Another friend suffered with a brain tumor along with other herbicide related diseases for over three years. He was awarded $1,860.00.

Victims and families of those exposed to herbicides in Vietnam had until January 17, 1995 to apply for compensation at: Agent Orange Veteran Payment Program, PO Box 110, Hartford, CT 06104

Terms

Half Life. The length of time required for half a quantity of drug, or other substance residing in a living organism to be metabolized, or eliminated by normal biological processes. It is also called biological half-life. The half-life of dioxin is 8.7 years in humans (as determined in the Ranch Hand (follow-up) studies).  

PTSD, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Dysfunction). A psychological condition that occurs after a trauma (stressful trauma situation, e.g., war, accident, rape, robbery, etc.). PTSD is characterized by anxiety, depression, guilt, sorrow (or grief), a sense of shame, death anxiety, panic, low self-esteem, rage, and/or any combination of these. Treatment varies with the severity, and willingness of the person to seek help.

Sarcoma. A malignant tumor arising from connective tissues. Soft Tissue Sarcomas are tumors in muscles, fat, fibrous tissue, and vessels serving these tissues as well as the peripheral nervous system.  

TCDD, commonly known as dioxin.  Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (also 2, 3, 7, 8--tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin),  TCDD is in reality a family of dioxins that contain four (4) chlorine atoms each. Therefore, TCDD is classified as a chlorinated organic chemical. TCDD (dioxin) is, perhaps, the most detrimental and damaging chemical ever produced. It's effects will be with us for generations.

Gary D. Moore, (The Last) Chairman
Michigan Agent Orange Commission
5161 Howard Road
Smiths Creek, MI 48074-2023

email:                    mrr@gmasw.com

Web page:             http://www.gmasw.com/aotalk1.htm             

Update:  February 15, 2004

Links: Exposure in South-East Asia

VSPA  is an association for USAF Vietnam War Veterans who served in Vietnam or Thailand from  1960-1975, as  Air Police, Security Police, or as an Augmentee.