A Brief Note on Agent Orange

During the Vietnam War, from 1961-to 1971, the US military sprayed a mixture of herbicides in the form of Agent Orange for two purposes to destroy forest areas that could hide the forces of the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese and destroy crops that could feed the enemy. Along the Agent Orange, various other herbicides like Agent White, blue, purple, green, and pink were also sprayed at that time. The words are based on colored strips painted next to the last drums containing herbicides. 

Composition of Agent Orange: 

The Defoliant- Agent Orange contained approximately equal amounts of pure butyl ester of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5 – T), sprayed by slow-flying aircraft. Agent Orange also contained small, flexible components of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, commonly referred to as “dioxin” – which is a 2,4,5-T synthetic product and is toxic even in minute amounts.

Exposure to Agent Orange: 

Exposure to Agent Orange is very different. Exposure may occur when chemicals are inhaled, absorbed by contaminated food or beverages, or absorbed into the skin. Exposure may occur with the eyes or with a crack in the skin, too.

Lifespan Dioxin: 

Based on location, the dependence of the life span of dioxin varies. In the human body, the half-life is 11-15 years or up to 20 years. In nature, the half-life varies depending on the type of soil and the depth of penetration. 

The sun will break down the dioxin, so the leafy soil and soil will last for 1-3 years, depending on the conditions. Dioxin buried or dipped in the ground or the depths of rivers and other bodies of water can have a lifespan of more than 100 years.

Agent Orange Effects: 

The presence of TCDD i.e., 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, in Agent Orange, leads to immediate and long-term effects.  

• Since the 1970s, exposure to this herbicide is considered to be the cause of various Agent Orange diseases like unusually high incidences of miscarriages, skin diseases, cancer, and congenital malformations among the Vietnamese.
• Temporary exposure to dioxin can cause dark skin, liver problems, and a serious skin condition such as acne called chloracne.
• Long exposure to Agent Orange leads to the development of several cancers and other health disorders seen in the US, New Zealand, and Australian servicemen.  
• The Red Cross estimates that three million Vietnamese are affected by dioxin, which includes at least 150,000 babies born with serious birth defects.
• Cancer is found as the major Agent Orange disease. 

Diseases caused by Agent Orange: 

There are numerous diseases caused by Agent Orange. 15 diseases caused by Agent Orange are: 

1. Chronic B-Cell Leukemia: It is a type of cancer that starts in the white blood cells in the bone marrow. The symptoms of this disease are fever, weakness, pain, left abdomen pain, red spots on the skin, weight loss, or infections.
2. Parkinson’s disease: It is one of the disorders of neurology of Agent Orange disease. The symptoms like slower movement, rigidity in muscles, facing difficulty in writing, slurring while speaking, etc. can be seen.
3. Hodgkin’s lymphoma: It is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s immune system. It includes the symptoms of night sweats, frequent weight loss, fever, itching, swollen lymph nodes, etc. 
4. Multiple myeloma: It is cancer that forms in a white blood cell. The symptoms are numbness in the legs, fatigue, bone pain, nausea, loss of appetite, nausea, constipation, etc. 
5. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: It is the type of cancer that occurs in the lymphatic system. It includes symptoms like headaches, nausea, skin rash, shortness of breath, and so on. 
6. Respiratory cancers: Respiratory cancer is cancer of the lungs, throat, esophagus, and bronchus. It usually happens to people who smoke. Chest pain, hoarseness, fever, wheezing, Bronchitis and pneumonia infections, etc. are the symptoms that can be recognized. 
7. Prostate cancer: Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the prostate cells, which are found only in men. The symptoms are difficulty in urination, bone pain, blood in semen, dysfunction of erectile, etc. 
8. Ischemic Heart Disease: It is the damage or disease to the coronary arteries. It is a rare Agent Orange disease that can be caused. Pressure on the chest, chest pain, myocardial infarction, etc. are the symptoms visible in the patient of this disease. 
9. Chloracne: Chloracne is a rare acneiform dermatosis caused by exposure to halogenated fragrant chemicals, representing a significant skin manifestation of systemic toxicity. Excessive oil on the skin, pimples, blackheads, etc. are the symptoms of Chloracne patients.
10. Porphyria cutanea tarda: It is a rare disease characterized by sores on the skin and blisters on the skin exposed to the sun. Scarring, hyperpigmentation, liver damage, etc. can be seen in the patients of Porphyria cutanea tarda. 
11. Peripheral Neuropathy: Peripheral neuropathy, which is the result of nerve damage found outside the brain and spinal cord, often causes weakness, numbness, and pain, often in the hands and feet. The symptoms are feeling numbness in the feet and hands, muscle weakness, sensitivity to heat, extreme sweating, etc. 
12. Type 2 diabetes: Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong disorder that causes your body to not use insulin the way you should. Patches of dark skin, fatigue, blurred vision, yeast infections, etc. are the symptoms seen in patients with Type 2 diabetes.
13. AL amyloidosis: It is caused by the accumulation of protein in the light chain of immunoglobulin. The symptoms of this disease are diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, nausea, fatigue, and so are. 
14. Hypothyroidism: It is a condition in which your thyroid gland does not produce enough certain essential hormones. Constipation, dry skin, puffy face, hoarseness, and muscle weaknesses are the symptoms of this disease. 
15. Bladder cancer: It is a disease in which dangerous cells form in the tissues of the bladder. Lower back pain, hematuria, pelvic pain, and burning sensation while urination is the symptoms. 

Conclusion: 

Agent Orange was a pesticide that the US military used to clear leaves and vegetation for warfare, especially during the Vietnam War. It was sprayed on arrival 20 times when producers recommend killing the plants. It cleared millions of acres of forests and farms.