Mell How did Agent Orange cause birth defects?
In the report, which was published in 1969, Bionetics researchers stated that Agent Orange contained a contaminant called 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD), a dioxin that caused increased rates of stillbirths and birth defects in pregnant rats exposed to it.
What caused birth defects in Vietnam?
Additional studies provide evidence that many more birth defects may be associated with dioxin-contaminated herbicide exposure in Vietnam. In 1990, an independent scientific review of the literature was sponsored by the American Legion, the Vietnam Veterans of America, and the National Veterans Legal Services Project.
Does Agent Orange affect offspring?
The children of Vietnam veterans and occasionally even their grandchildren have also dealt with significant health problems from Agent Orange exposure as well. Birth defects such as neural tube defects are the most common effects of Agent Orange in the second generation exposed to Agent Orange. That’s the bad news.
Are there still birth defects from Agent Orange?
Babies in Vietnam still being born with birth defects due to Agent Orange, despite 40 years since conflict with U.S. Chemical was sprayed on crops, plants and trees by U.S. military to destroy …
How did Agent Orange affect the Vietnam Veterans?
There is now an impressive body of scientific evidence showing increases in birth defects and developmental problems in the children of Vietnam veterans and others exposed to dioxin-like chemicals. Agent Orange was a combination of two defoliants, 2-45T and 2-4D contaminated by dioxin (TCDD), a toxic byproduct of the chemical production process.
What are the health effects of Agent Orange?
Various health issues among Vietnam War veterans became attributed, albeit with some controversy, to dioxin, including various cancers, birth defects in children fathered by veterans, cognitive or neuropsychiatric problems, and peripheral neuropathy. Whether Agent Orange causes a neuropathy remains controversial.
How is spina bifida linked to Agent Orange?
Birth Defects (Spina Bifida) Linked to Agent Orange. Spina bifida is a spinal cord birth defect. A baby develops spina bifida while still in the womb. In some cases, a parent’s past contact with specific chemicals causes this birth defect.