The use of defoliants as a weapon of war has had significant consequences for both civilian populations and the environment. During the Vietnam War, U.S. forces used Agent Orange, a mixture of 2,4,5-T and 2,4-D in a 1:1 ratio, to deprive North Vietnamese forces of cover. Over a million people in Vietnam developed major illnesses due to exposure to Agent Orange after the war.
Britain was the first country to use defoliants as a weapon during the Malayan Emergency. They created a substance similar to Agent Orange that also contained dioxin, which was responsible for the Seveso disaster of 1976. Alongside Agent Orange, the U.S. developed a mixture of cacodylic acid, sodium cacodylate, and water to destroy rice plants during the war.
The effects of defoliants on civilians during the Vietnam War were significant and have been captured in photos such as Nick Ut’s famous photo taken in 1972. The substance burns easily, spreads quickly and sticks to surfaces with its effects lasting long after it has been applied. Its use is now banned against civilian populations since 1980 but its effects are still felt by many who were exposed to it during wartime.
Olof Palme described the use of defoliants in Vietnam as “ecocide” at a U