What Diseases Are Caused By Agent Orange?

Agent Orange is a defoliant that was used during the Vietnam War by the US military. It was used to clear the dense vegetation in Vietnam Laos Cambodia to make it easier to spot enemy movements. The chemical compound however had devastating effects on the health of the people exposed to it both military personnel civilians.

What is Agent Orange?

Agent Orange is a herbicide composed of two chemicals: 24-D 245-T. The chemical compound was labeled as a “rainbow herbicide” because of the different colors of the barrels containers it was stored in. The toxicity of the herbicide was linked to the presence of a contaminant called dioxin.

How was Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War?

During the war the US military sprayed more than 19 million gallons of herbicide over Vietnam Laos Cambodia mostly by aircraft but also by boat or backpack sprayers. The spraying was done for a decade from 1961 to 1971 it contaminated the rivers soil vegetation of the area affecting millions of people. It caused severe damage to the health the environment the food sources of the local population.

What are the diseases caused by Agent Orange?

Agent Orange causes a variety of health problems depending on the degree duration of exposure. The following are the most common diseases caused by Agent Orange:

Cancer

Cancer is one of the most common diseases caused by Agent Orange. Exposure to dioxin has been linked to multiple types of cancer including prostate cancer lung cancer liver cancer kidney cancer others.

Birth defects

Women who were exposed to Agent Orange during pregnancy were at risk of giving birth to children with birth defects. The children of male veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange were also known to have higher rates of birth defects.

Neurological disorders

Agent Orange exposure has been linked to a variety of neurological disorders. These include Parkinson’s disease Alzheimer’s disease dementia others.

Immune system disorders

Agent Orange exposure has been linked to disorders of the immune system. The chemical compound can damage the body’s immune system which can lead to autoimmune diseases like lupus rheumatoid arthritis others.

Respiratory disorders

Exposure to Agent Orange has been linked to respiratory disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) bronchitis asthma.

Conclusion

The use of Agent Orange during the Vietnam War had a profound impact on the health well-being of millions of people. The exposure to the chemical compound has been linked to numerous diseases including cancer birth defects neurological disorders immune system disorders respiratory disorders. The impact of Agent Orange is still being felt today as many veterans their families continue to struggle with the long-term effects of their exposure.