Agent orange
Agent Orange
Agent Orange (/ˈeɪdʒənt ˈɔːrɪndʒ/) is a herbicide and defoliant chemical, one of the "tactical use" Rainbow Herbicides. 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.
Etymology
The name "Agent Orange" came from the orange identifying stripe used on the 55-gallon drums in which it was stored. It was by far the most widely used of the so-called "Rainbow Herbicides".
Composition
Agent Orange is a mixture of equal parts of two herbicides, 2,4,5-T and 2,4-D. In addition to the two active ingredients, the Agent Orange produced in the United States contained traces of dioxin, a highly toxic compound produced as a byproduct of 2,4,5-T production.
Health Effects
Exposure to Agent Orange has been linked to a wide range of health problems including cancer, neurological disorders, and birth defects both in those directly exposed and their offspring.
Related Terms
- Rainbow Herbicides
- Herbicidal warfare
- Operation Ranch Hand
- 2,4,5-T
- 2,4-D
- Dioxin
- Cancer
- Neurological disorders
- Birth defects
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Agent orange
- Wikipedia's article - Agent orange
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