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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 6 page overview of the history of Agent Orange, a carcinogenic defoliant used in Vietnam, and its relation to dioxins which still present an environmental and health threat in the U.S. in the form of industrial wastes emissions. Contends that while law are in place to regulate these emissions, they are largely ineffective and difficult to enforce. Bibliography lists 6 sources.
Page Count:
6 pages (~225 words per page)
File: AM2_PPagntOr.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
of chemicals which belong to the category of dioxins. In all there are seventy five congeners of dioxins (National Wildlife Federation, 2001). Agent orange, however, is one of
the most toxic of the dioxins. The Environmental Protection Agency (2001), in fact, identifies 2,3,7,8 TCD and 1,2,3,7,8 PeCDD as the most toxic forms of dioxins. These compounds
are used as a point of comparison for Toxicity Equivalency Standards (TEQs) (Environmental Protection Agency, 2001). The Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (2001) reports on a number of
adverse effects attributable to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and other dioxins, including their carcinogenic effect, immune system alterations, reproductive, developmental and nervous system effects, endocrine disruption, altered lipid metabolism, liver damage and skin
lesions in humans. Exposure to dioxins can come through a variety of mechanisms. These include absorption through the skin, ingestion, and inhalation. Soils, foods, water, and air can
all be contaminated with dioxins. Consequently, there are a variety of laws in place to define the concentrations which are acceptable. These laws are difficult to enforce, however,
as they typically leave a loophole which allows either industry or the states themselves to modify the levels based upon "acceptable scientific evidence".
Agent orange has gained the most notoriety in its use as a defoliant in the Vietnam War. It has been the subject of a number of legal cases levied
by Vietnam veterans against the manufacturers of the chemical. Peter H. Schucks "Agent Orange on Trial: Mass Toxic Disasters in the Courts" show an unfortunate side of civilians
challenging big business but this time the bad guys include not only big business but Uncle Sam himself. Schuck relays the story of the class action suit brought by
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