Overview

The United States conducted a tactical herbicide program during the Vietnam War to remove foliage that provided enemy cover. Agent Orange 1 mixture of 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) was the most widely used “Rainbow Herbicide” in these missions. From 1961-1971, millions of gallons of herbicides were sprayed in Vietnam by the Army (Army Chemical Corp) and the Air Force (Operation Ranch Hand). It was later discovered that many of these herbicides were contaminated with the toxic compound 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD).

Agent Orange - Poster

• Agent Orange poster (pdf file) by Wendi Dick, MD MSPH FACPM, Terra D. Irons, PhD, Terry L. Walters, MD MPH, and Michael R. Peterson, DVM MPH DrPH Post-Deployment Health Strategic Healthcare Group, Office of Public Health, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Washington, DC, USA

References

• Agent Orange - Toxipedia
• Agent Orange - Wikipedia