The Agent Orange Introduction
Agent Orange is a mix of herbicides (plant-killing chemicals) and defoliant (a chemical used to remove leaves from plants and trees).
It was used by the US military during the Vietnam War to destroy plants in large quantities.
Agent Orange was one of the “Rainbow Herbicides,” alongside Agent Purple and Agent White.
These herbicides were used and tested at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, New Brunswick.
A herbicide related to Agent Orange was used to clear public land in Northern Ontario between the 1950s and 1970s. It is unclear how many Canadians were exposed to the potentially deadly chemical.
Nor do we know how many may have died as a result.
Canada tested Agents White, Purple and Orange in cooperation with the US military at CFB Gagetown in 1966 and 1967.
However, this was not the only time these dangerous herbicides were used at the base.
It is estimated that over a million litres of the Rainbow Herbicides and other herbicides were used between 1956 and 1984.
Over 300,000 Canadian personnel passed through CFB Gagetown during this 28-year period.
The use of Agent Orange and other herbicides in New Brunswick became public knowledge in the early 1980s.
This encouraged ex-NB Power employees to create the Sprayers of Dioxin Association to advocate for compensation. The employees were eventually compensated.
development and composition
Agent Orange was a combination of two herbicides: 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and 2,4,5-T (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid).
A major issue with Agent Orange was that it contained dioxin (TCDD), a highly toxic compound.
Dioxin is a persistent environmental pollutant, and its toxicity was not fully understood at the time of use.
History Time-Line
The birth of Canadian Forces Camp Gagetown came at a heavy price for over twenty communities and the people who lived there.
A spraying accident resulted in heavy quantities of 2,4-D +2,4,5-T (Agent Orange and Agent Purple) being deposited on both sides of the river on the civilian communities of Burton, Maugerville, Sheffield, and other communities downriver, a distance of 19 kilometres.
This spray accident wiped out all the market gardens' produce.
DND paid a claim from the farmers for over $250,000.
This accident was officially recognized by DND and stories were substantially covered in subsequent weeks by the Daily Gleaner.
use during the vietnam war
Operation Ranch Hand was the U.S. military’s mission to spray herbicides over Vietnam, Laos, and parts of Cambodia, intending to destroy vegetation in enemy-controlled areas.
An estimated 19 million gallons of herbicides were sprayed, with Agent Orange accounting for about 60% of that volume.
Planes and helicopters were the primary methods of delivering the chemical, spraying it over 4.5 million acres of land.
health and environmental consequences
Dioxin, a byproduct of the herbicide production process, was found to be a cause of severe health issues:
1. Cancer : Many people exposed to Agent Orange developed cancers such as Hodgkin’s disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and soft tissue sarcoma.
2. Birth Defects : Children of those exposed to the chemical suffered from serious birth defects, such as spina bifida.
3. Other Illnesses : Exposure also led to skin conditions, liver damage, psychological problems, and neurological disorders.
4. Veteran Impact : Thousands of U.S. and allied veterans who handled or were exposed to Agent Orange later reported health issues.
environmental impact
The spraying resulted in massive deforestation and long-term ecological damage to Vietnam's landscape.
Many areas of the country remain barren, and some regions are still contaminated with dioxin, causing ongoing health problems for people living near these areas.
Post-War litigation and compensation
In 1979, U.S. veterans began to sue the manufacturers of Agent Orange, including Monsanto and Dow Chemical.
The companies reached a $180 million settlement in 1984 to compensate U.S. veterans affected by exposure.
However, Vietnamese victims and their families have struggled to receive compensation, despite advocacy and legal efforts.
ongoing legacy
The effects of Agent Orange continue to impact second and third generations of Vietnamese people, with birth defects and health issues being passed down.
In recent years, the U.S. government has acknowledged the long-term effects of Agent Orange and has funded cleanup operations in Vietnam, particularly in areas where dioxin contamination is still high.
Vietnam and U.S. veterans exposed to the herbicide are still receiving medical care and assistance.
The widespread use of Agent Orange is considered one of the most controversial actions during the Vietnam War due to its long-lasting humanitarian and environmental consequences.
The Agent Orange Association of CANADA
Agent Orange is a herbicide and defoliant chemical, primarily used during the Vietnam War by the United States military.
It was named after the orange stripe on the barrels in which it was stored.
Agent Orange contained the toxic compound dioxin, specifically TCDD (2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin), which is known to be extremely harmful to human health and the environment.
Despite its effectiveness in clearing dense vegetation, Agent Orange had devastating consequences.
Exposure to dioxin has been linked to a range of health issues, including various cancers, birth defects, neurological disorders, and skin conditions.
Its persistent effects continue to impact both Vietnamese civilians and American veterans who were exposed to it during the war.