Vietnam Continues Legal Action against U.S. Chemical Firms over Agent Orange
The Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin will persist in its legal actions against U.S. chemical companies to hold them accountable for supporting the U.S. military’s use of Agent Orange/dioxin from 1961 to 1971, an official said.
Vice President of the Association-Major General Nguyen Hong Son highlighted that the association remains committed to seeking justice for the severe consequences of Agent Orange on Vietnamese territory over the past 20 years despite multiple dismissals by U.S. courts.
He said that the U.S. military has conducted environmental decontamination in areas like Bien Hoa and Danang airports, but has not provided medical care for victims. The U.S. claims Vietnam’s demands lack sufficient evidence, leading the association to sue 37 U.S. chemical companies, Mr. Son said.
From 1961 to 1971, the U.S. military conducted 19,905 operations, spraying over 80 million liters of chemicals, 61% of which was Agent Orange. Approximately 4.8 million Vietnamese people were exposed to the toxic substance.