Agent Orange

The Vietnamese who were exposed to Agent Orange have suffered from cancer, liver damage, pulmonary and heart diseases, defects to reproductive capacity, and skin and nervous disorders. Furthermore, their children and grandchildren have severe physical deformities, mental and physical disabilities, diseases, and shortened life spans. In addition, many Vietnam veterans, including some we knew personally, have suffered and died from various cancers as well. Bladder cancer seems to be a frequent diagnosis.

The forests and jungles in large parts of southern Vietnam were devastated and denuded with Agent Orange. They may never grow back and if they do, it will take 50 to 200 years to regenerate. Moreover, animals that inhabited the forests and jungles have become extinct, disrupting the communities that depended on them. Rivers and underground water in some areas have also been contaminated. Erosion and desertification will change the environment, contributing to the warming of the planet and dislocation of crop and animal life.