Chemistry


 * Chemistry of Agent Orange:

What is Agent Orange? Agent Orange is the code name for an herbicide and defoliant—contaminated with dioxin —used by the U.S. military in its herbicidal warfare program during the Vietnam War. **
 * What is the composition of Agent orange?**


 * Agent Orange is a 50 – 50 mixture of n – butyl esters of of 2,4,- Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 2,4,5,- Tricholorophenoxyacetic acid. This herbicide is usually dissolved in an organic solvent such as diesel oil or kerosene before it is being sprayed. It is sprayed and transported by low flying transport planes.**

** Other agents other than agent orange that was used in Vietnam were as follows: ** o Agent White being the most powerful and persistent jungle defoliator. o Agent Blue is powerful and is used to destroy crops.**
 * o Agent Purple being almost identical to Agent Orange, but simply having a slightly different molecular make-up


 * What are the effects of agent orange on humans?**


 * Some Vietnamese who came into direct contact with Agent Orange quickly developed skin irritations that turned into lesions and tumors. Others attribute their cancers and multiple miscarriages to living in areas sprayed with the herbicide** ** .The massive number of sick Vietnam veterans, especially those who handled Agent Orange, and Vietnamese civilians has all but eliminated any other possible cause. In addition, many Vietnamese have very high quantities of dioxin in their blood ****, up to 200 times above normal levels ** **. That substance's toxicity is not disputed.

Among the many complications associated with Agent Orange and dioxin are:** · ** Skin irritation and skin diseases, such as chloracne ** · ** Neurological disorders ** · ** Nerve disorders, including peripheral neuropathy ** · ** Miscarriages in ** women · ** Type 2 diabetes ** · ** Birth defects, physical deformities, spina bifida ** · ** Cancers: multiple myeloma, respiratory system ** · ** cancers, Hodgkin's disease, prostate cancer, leukemia **