Exposure of Blue Water Navy Ships to Agent Orange
December 5, 2023 by JoyAnswer.org, Category : Military
How blue water navy ships were exposed to Agent Orange? Learn how Blue Water Navy ships were exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. Explore the mechanisms and routes through which these ships encountered the herbicide.
How blue water navy ships were exposed to Agent Orange?
Blue water navy ships were exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War through a process called "shipboard water distillation." Agent Orange, a herbicide used extensively during the Vietnam War to defoliate forests and vegetation, contained harmful chemicals, including dioxin.
The ships drew in seawater to be distilled for various purposes, including drinking water, cooking, and bathing. The onboard distillation systems were meant to remove salt and impurities from seawater to make it safe for use. However, these systems were not effective in removing certain contaminants like dioxin found in Agent Orange.
As a result, when ships in the waters off the coast of Vietnam or in areas where Agent Orange was sprayed took in seawater for distillation, traces of the herbicide and its contaminants, including dioxin, remained in the distilled water. Crew members unknowingly used this contaminated water for various purposes on board, leading to potential exposure to Agent Orange.
The exposure occurred through ingestion of contaminated water, use of contaminated water for cleaning purposes, and even inhalation of vaporized water during showers or in the ship's environment.
This unintentional exposure to Agent Orange has been a subject of concern and study for many years, with efforts made to understand the extent of the exposure and its potential health effects on naval personnel who served on these ships during the Vietnam War.
In what ways were ships in the blue water navy exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War?
Ships in the U.S. Navy, particularly those operating in the "blue water" or open seas, were exposed to Agent Orange in several ways during the Vietnam War:
Defoliation and Forest Clearing Operations: Agent Orange was extensively used by the U.S. military to defoliate forests and clear vegetation along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a crucial supply route for North Vietnamese forces. This operation, known as Ranch Hand, resulted in the widespread spraying of Agent Orange over large areas of the Vietnamese countryside. Ships, including minesweepers, aircraft carriers, and cargo vessels, would often transport Agent Orange directly to the spraying sites or support these operations in other ways.
Shipboard Storage and Handling: Agent Orange was also stored and handled on ships, particularly those involved in resupply operations. This included vessels transporting Agent Orange from manufacturing facilities to defoliation sites, as well as ships that carried medical supplies for Agent Orange-exposed personnel. Exposure could occur through direct contact with Agent Orange, inhalation of contaminated dust, or ingestion of contaminated food or water.
Coastal Operations and Shipboard Fumigation: Ships operating off the coast of Vietnam were also exposed to Agent Orange through coastal operations and shipboard fumigation. Agent Orange was used to defoliate coastal areas to deprive the Viet Cong of cover and concealment, and ships may have come into contact with or been fumigated with Agent Orange during these operations.
Accidental Releases and Spills: Accidental releases and spills of Agent Orange during transportation or storage could also expose personnel on ships. These releases could occur due to improper handling, equipment failure, or weather conditions.
Environmental Contamination: The widespread use of Agent Orange in Vietnam resulted in environmental contamination, including the contamination of waterways, soils, and vegetation. Ships operating in Vietnam would have been exposed to this contaminated environment, potentially through the intake of contaminated water or the ingestion of contaminated food sources.
The exposure of ships in the blue water navy to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War has had long-lasting and significant consequences for the health and well-being of veterans who served on these vessels. They have faced an increased risk of developing various health problems, including cancer, Parkinson's disease, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), as a result of their exposure.
