Agent Orange was a chemical defoliant used during the Vietnam War. After its widespread use numerous toxic effects have been reported in persons exposed.
Composition - equal amount of the 2 phenoxy herbicides:
(1) 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid)
(2) 2,4,5-T (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid)
The dioxin TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachloridbenzo-p-dioxin) was a trace contaminant in the 2,4,5-T.
Reported toxic effects include:
(1) cancer (genitourinary, lung, sarcoma)
(2) hematologic malignancies (malignant lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, myeloma, CLL)
(3) infertility in males
(4) peripheral neuropathy
(5) porphyria cutanea tarda
(6) teratogenic effects in offspring
