What was chemical warfare in vietnam

The dangerous quantity of residual dioxin in the earth thwarts the normal growth of crops and trees, while continuing to poison the food chain. On a positive note, the Vietnamese government and both local and international organizations are making strides toward restoring this critical landscape.

The U. The destruction of Vietnamese forests , however, has proven irreversible. The natural habitat of such rare species as tigers, elephants, bears and leopards were distorted, in many cases beyond repair. In parts of central and southern Vietnam that were already exposed to environmental hazards such as frequent typhoons and flooding in low-lying areas and droughts and water scarcity in the highlands and Mekong Delta, herbicide spraying led to nutrient loss in the soil.

This, in turn, has caused erosion , compromising forests in 28 river basins. As a result, flooding has gotten worse in numerous watershed areas. Some of these vulnerable areas also happen to be very poor and, these days, home to a large number of Agent Orange victims.

During Operation Ranch Hand, the U. It launched a public relations campaign included educational programs showing civilians happily applying herbicides to their skin and passing through defoliated areas without concern. Allegedly, chemical manufacturers had informed the U. Today, Agent Orange has become a contentious legal and political issue, both within Vietnam and internationally. From to , more than , Vietnamese victims suffering from 17 diseases linked to cancers, diabetes and birth defects were eligible for limited compensation , via a government program.

Each of these—manufactured by Monsanto, Dow Chemical and other companies—had different chemical chemical additives in varying strengths. Agent Orange was the most widely used herbicide in Vietnam, and the most potent. More than 13 million gallons of Agent Orange was used in Vietnam, or almost two-thirds of the total amount of herbicides used during the entire Vietnam War. It was found in varying concentrations in all the different herbicides used in Vietnam.

Dioxins are also created from trash incineration; burning gas, oil and coal; cigarette smoking and in different manufacturing processes such as bleaching. Dioxin is a highly persistent chemical compound that lasts for many years in the environment, particularly in soil, lake and river sediments and in the food chain. Dioxin accumulates in fatty tissue in the bodies of fish, birds and other animals. Most human exposure is through foods such as meats, poultry, dairy products, eggs, shellfish and fish.

Studies done on laboratory animals have proven that dioxin is highly toxic even in minute doses. It is universally known to be a carcinogen a cancer-causing agent. Short-term exposure to dioxin can cause darkening of the skin, liver problems and a severe acne-like skin disease called chloracne.

Additionally, dioxin is linked to type 2 diabetes, immune system dysfunction, nerve disorders, muscular dysfunction, hormone disruption and heart disease.

Developing fetuses are particularly sensitive to dioxin, which is also linked to miscarriages, spina bifida and other problems with fetal brain and nervous system development. In , Dr. However, because the material was to be used on the enemy, none of us were overly concerned.

We never considered a scenario in which our own personnel would become contaminated with the herbicide. In , a class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of 2. Various challenges to the settlement followed, including lawsuits filed by some veterans, before the U. Supreme Court confirmed the settlement in In , President George H.

In addition to the massive environmental devastation of the U. In addition, Vietnam claims half a million children have been born with serious birth defects, while as many 2 million people are suffering from cancer or other illness caused by Agent Orange.

In , a group of Vietnamese citizens filed a class-action lawsuit against more than 30 chemical companies, including the same ones that settled with U. The suit, which sought billions of dollars worth of damages, claimed that Agent Orange and its poisonous effects left a legacy of health problems and that its use constituted a violation of international law. Fred A. This would open the door to lawsuits that would cost the government billions of dollars. The extent and patterns of usage of Agent Orange and other herbicides in Vietnam.

While they have the space to care for another victims, they need more resources to meet demand. While the center was a bit closer to Hanoi, it was still far from the noise and urban chaos of the city. Here, some patients with less severe injuries are cared for by staff.

At the same time, they are educated and trained for jobs. The residents of the center even grow their own tea on the premises, a fact that some of the staff and patients were very proud to share. While Mr. His son, Nguyen Thanh Tung, has been blind since birth. He says that family is the most important thing, and they cannot be separated. They receive a modest apartment and a small stipend from the government but, due to limited resources and the high number of Agent Orange victims, it is not much.

Asked whether he thought increased awareness among the American people about the conditions and needs of those suffering from the aftereffects of Agent Orange would help force the U. How can anyone know about this situation and not want to help? He further said that, because of this, it was important for Americans that are aware to share the story of the Agent Orange victims with everyone. The people who live their lives with injuries caused by Agent Orange, both in Vietnam and in the U. Furthermore, the U.

In the U. It is currently working with Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif. This year marks 60 years since Agent Orange was first used by the U. For 60 years, people have suffered. For 60 years, they have struggled with few resources.