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Agent Orange After Effects

Agent Orange is a toxic chemical that was sprayed from aircraft by U.S. forces during the Vietnam War as a weapon of herbicidal warfare. Named after the orange containers it was stored in, exposure to this chemical has been proven to cause adverse effects in those who were exposed to it.

  1. Cancer

    • The United States Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) reports that cancer is one of the primary diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure (see Reference 1). Although results of ongoing government studies regarding the cancer risks of subjects who were exposed to Agent Orange are hampered the limited numbers of study participants, researchers have been able to reach tentative conclusions on the basis of such studies. According to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, sufficient evidence of an association exists to suggest that Agent Orange exposure is responsible for soft tissue sarcoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease.

    Leukemia

    • According to the VA, susceptibility to a common form of leukemia named chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) can be attributed to Agent Orange exposure. The VA began to dispersing disability payments of approximately $2,300 a month after announcing in 2003 that a strong correlation existed between CLL and exposure to Agent Orange (see Reference 2). CLL is initiated when a DNA mutation occurs in the lymphocyte of a subject. Ultimately, cells produced by this form of leukemia begin to replace a subject's normal lymphocytes. As a result, this individual might begin to have trouble breathing, might easily tire and might be susceptible to infections.

    Diabetes

    • A review of various studies prompted a 2001 revision of VA policy, admitting that Agent Orange exposure is linked to the presence of diabetes mellitus (Type 2). People who suffer from this disease experience elevated sugar levels because of internal inabilities to process insulin. According to results gathered from an Air Force investigation called the Ranch Hand Study, veterans who exhibited high levels of dioxin (a component of Agent Orange) suffered a 47 percent increase in diabetes.

    Hypertension

    • In a 2006 update, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences ruled that a high exposure to herbicides such as Agent Orange is related to a prevalence of hypertension (see Reference 3). Consistent results from numerous studies suggest that hypertension and heart disease risks are elevated after exposure to Agent Orange, especially ischemic heart disease.

    Skin Conditions

    • Certain disorders, such as chloracne and porphyria cutanea tarda, are characterized by visible skin conditions. Chloracne resembles acne that occurs during adolescence or as a result of oily skin and typically occurs soon after exposure to Agent Orange. Porphyria cutanea tarda is a relatively more serious condition, usually coupled with liver dysfunction. Subjects who suffer from this condition tend to experience blistering of the skin on areas of the body that are exposed to the sun.

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