Effects of Agent Orange on Vietnam Veterans

The purpose of this research is to examine the effects

of Agent Orange on Vietnam Veterans. The nature and use of Agent Orange will be discussed and its physical and psychological effects characterized.

The use of herbicides to kill vegetation for military purposes was begun by the Romans as early as 300 B.C. Their practice was to spread salt on the grazing and farm lands of enemies in order to diminish their food supply. Herbicidal warfare remained primitive until after the Second World War when chemicals came into use (Strum 10-11). The war in Vietnam, however, saw the first massive attempt to remove enemy cover as well as to destroy food supplies in the form of Operation Ranch Hand (1961-1971). The principal chemicals used in this effort were commonly known as Agent White, Agent Blue and Agent Orange, these names referring to the color of the barrels in which they were shipped to Vietnam. By far the most frequently used of the three was Agent Orange.

Agent Orange is a herbicidal compound of the phenoxy family, a synthesis of chlorine and phenol. Used together, these two chemicals are capable of killing a wide variety of broad-leafed plants. This was desirable in Vietnam from the American command's point of view as jungle and tropical rain forest provided cover for enemy movements and ambushes. In fact, results showed a significant drop in the number of ambushes in areas where the herbicide was applied. Consequently, between 1961 and 1971 there was a great demand for Age

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n of whether or not Vietnam veterans are entitled to disability benefits as a result of exposure to Agent Orange has attracted great attention. Veterans' groups have organized and militated for research into the effects of exposure, and for the formal recognition of Agent Orange symptoms as service connected disabilities. To date, the Veterans Administration has resisted such pressures, maintaining for the most part that no definite link can be proved between exposure to Agent Orange and the symptoms observed in veterans. Under Congressional direction, long-term studies of veterans are continuing. However, there is not much doubt about the health effects of dioxin contamination, which have been noted even by the Air Force itself. In 1980, as part of Congressional hearings into the veterans' claims, the U.S. Air Force made public documents from its files outlining the effects of exposure to dioxin. The symptoms were listed as follows: Asthenia: Neuropathic: Dermatologic: Anxiety Hyporeflexia Chloracne Depression Weakness Porphyria cutanea tarda Fatigue Paresthesias Hyperpigmentation Apathy Numbness Hirsutism Loss of drive Myalgia Alopecia of the scalp Loss of libido Gait disturbance Impotency Mild paresis Sleeplessnes

Category: Government - E