The Use of Agent Orange in the Vietnam War Agent Orange is a plant killer, used during the Vietnam War to destroy a huge quantity of trees (Nguyen, 1) . The destruction that occurred, however, is much more extensive than previously believed. Health complications occur much more frequently in those who are exposed to the chemical than in those who have managed to avoid contact (Nguyen, 2). The use of Agent Orange in the Vietnam War affected the health and genetics of the American soldier. Agent Orange is a 50:50 mixture of two main compounds, 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy acetic acid (Nguyen, 2). This defoliant also contains dioxin, which is one of the deadliest compounds known to man (Nguyen, 2). Ironically, the dioxin, which makes Agent Orange lethal to humans, is not intended to kill plants at all (Vancil, 1). It is extremely difficult, however, to prove that dioxin is responsible for the countless illnesses contracted by many Vietnam veterans because each individual has their own tolerance to dioxin (Vancil, 1). Many soldiers during the Vietnam War repeatedly encountered Agent Orange. Their lives revolved around the 55-gallon drums, which were once filled with an extremely harmful herbicide. Unaware of the possible consequences, many soldiers built showers and hibachi out of these discarded drums (Doyle, 139). They also used the sterile barrels to store potatoes and watermelons (Doyle, 139). A man described to his wife how they would bathe e.g...