Agent Orange

'Agent Orange' was a herbicide (a toxic substance which is used to destroy unwanted vegetation)² which was used by the allies during the Vietnam War. It is estimated that over 75 million litres of Agent Orange was sprayed in Vietnam's jungles in the nine years from 1962 to 1971.³ The goal of the allies was to destroy the food sources and hiding places of the enemy.

Agent Orange itself would remain toxic for a week,⁴ however, it contained a chemical contaminant called dioxin, which is extremely dangerous even in small amounts. Dioxin remains in the soil, water and human bodies.⁵ By 1967, Australia and the US were beginning to report health issues linked with the contact of Agent Orange.⁶ As many Vietnam War veterans have experienced first-hand, dioxin is a highly toxic pollutant which has been linked to heath problems, most notably: cancer, skin diseases, miscarriages, and birth defects.⁷

Vietnam's environment is still struggling with the chemical impacts of Agent Orange today.⁸ While the Vietnam War was fought over 50 years ago, Agent Orange continues to have harmful impacts today in the countries associated with the war.

Napalm

The allies also used a substance known as 'napalm' in the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1972. Napalm was used to thicken gasoline, turning it into a jelly-like substance,⁹ which the allies used as flame throwers and gas bombs.

Napalm, when ignited, burned at temperatures of more than 2,700°C.¹⁰ If the human body was in contact with napalm, it would stick to the skin and burn its way to the bone.¹¹ Napalm produces carbon monoxide whilst also removing oxygen from the air, which has severe effects, causing rapid loss of blood pressure, unconsciousness, heatstroke, smoke exposure,¹² and in most cases, death through burns or asphyxiation.¹³

In image [5] above, Kim Phúc, known as the 'Napalm Girl', is talking to then Senator, Joe Biden. She was nine years old at the time of the napalm strike, fleeing from her village and screaming as she was being burnt by the napalm. She survived, but endured third-degree burns and was required to undertake many operations.¹⁴ Phúc was one of the only survivors of such napalm bombings.

Like Agent Orange, napalm was to destroy the enemy's crops and hiding spots. Whilst napalm was disastrous to people while it was used, Agent Orange continues to affect the environment and people today. Many soldiers on both sides were caught up in the significant effects of these chemicals.