Mell Why was Agent Orange used by the US?
Agent Orange was a powerful herbicide used by U.S. military forces during the Vietnam War to eliminate forest cover and crops for North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops. Agent Orange, which contained the deadly chemical dioxin, was the most commonly used herbicide.
Did Agent Orange help the US?
It is widely known for its use by the U.S. military as part of its herbicidal warfare program, Operation Ranch Hand, during the Vietnam War from 1961 to 1971. Agent Orange has also caused enormous environmental damage in Vietnam.
Why was Agent Orange banned in the US?
Agent Orange was a herbicide mixture used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. Much of it contained a dangerous chemical contaminant called dioxin. Production of Agent Orange ended in the 1970s and is no longer in use. The chemical dioxin in Agent Orange can remain toxic in the soil for decades.
Did Agent Orange really affect soldiers?
Agent Orange exposure does not end with the veteran; it may also contribute to birth defects and disorders in veterans’ children. Studies have indicated that Agent Orange exposure has led to increased rates of stillbirths and birth defects in the children of veterans exposed to Agent Orange.
Who was responsible for Agent Orange?
Monsanto Company
The current Monsanto Company has maintained responsibility for this product since we were spun-off as a separate, independent agricultural company in 2002. From 1965 to 1969, the former Monsanto Company was one of nine wartime government contractors who manufactured Agent Orange.
How do they test you for Agent Orange?
A physical exam. A discussion of your service history, including any suspected contact with Agent Orange or other herbicides. Your medical history, including major illnesses and surgeries. If necessary, medical tests such as X-rays, MRIs, or blood tests.
Why did the US use Agent Orange in the Vietnam War?
During the Vietnam War, the US sprayed Agent Orange on the jungles and fields of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. The Americans sought to defoliate the trees and bushes, so that enemy soldiers would be exposed. They also wanted to kill off the agricultural crops that fed the Viet Cong (as well as local civilians).
When was Agent Orange last used?
Agent Orange was an herbicide and defoliant chemical used by the United States in the Vietnam conflict from 1961 to 1971.
What kind of chemical was used in Agent Orange?
However, according to the EPA, Agent Orange, which contains the poisonous chemical dioxin, was the most commonly used. And among those who were lucky enough to survive the trenches of Vietnam, the health issues – now generations later – have been a living nightmare.
Who was the sponsor of the Agent Orange Act?
Thanks to former Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) who sponsored the Agent Orange Act of 1991, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in 2015 had paid $24 billion in disability compensation to 1.3 million veterans who served in our armed forces sometime during the Vietnam era.