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| Vietnamese Agent Orange poster |
By Kerry Hadrava
It has been nearly 43 years since the conclusion of
the Vietnam War, however veterans and their families and people living in
Vietnam are still left with another battle.
Agent Orange, a chemical herbicide sprayed in millions
of gallons across the landscapes of Vietnam to control plant growth in battle
zones, has an extreme high level of toxicity. Soldiers and civilians who came
into contact with it or its affected regions during the war are still
experiencing its adverse effects decades later.
According to the Vietnam Association of Victims of
Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA), it is estimated that over 4.8 million people living
in Vietnam have been exposed to this toxic chemical and over 3 million have
been suffering from a variety of diseases including various types of
cancer as well as birth defects and deformities.
Although the United States has admitted responsibility
for Agent Orange being the cause of numerous health issues for U.S. veterans
and their families, those struggling overseas have yet to get adequate help or
recognition they are in need of. A large part of this story remains untold.
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