Agent orange was the name given to a very potent herbicide used by the U.S. military in its war in Vietnam. This herbicide was used for ten years, from 1961 to 1971, to defoliate the forests of Vietnam and hence make the Viet con (Vietnamese communists) visible from the air and to eradicate the enemies food source by the destruction of crops. In total 24,000 Km² or 6 million acres were sprayed in Vietnam.

Agent Orange is a 1:1 mixture of two herbicides, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and
2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T). These herbicides work on broad leaf plants by mimicking growth hormones, which results in rapid, uncontrolled growth and eventual death of the plant. These herbicides were first developed in 1946 and were widely used in agriculture during the 1950s.

During the Vietnam conflict many different types of herbicides were mixed with kerosene and sprayed from aircraft. Often the chemicals rained down on American, Australian and Vietnamese troops as well as civilians.

Did the defoliation of millions of acres of forest assist in the war against the communist forces?

Research the lasting effects of Agent Orange and the impact on the local civilians that remains to this day.

Were adequate precautions taken during the spraying to protect the troops and civilians? Explain.

Can this be considered a case of chemical warfare?

Although the herbicides are relatively safe a byproduct of their manufacture is not. Dioxin or 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (TCDD) pictured on the right, is produced as a byproduct of the manufacture of 2,4,5-T. Dioxin is a potent human carcinogen and as a consequence is banned in many countries.