agent orange

Our story starts with “surfactants,” a term derived from “surface active agents.” These are molecules with one end being “hydrophilic”, meaning it is attracted to water, while the other “hydrophobic” end is attracted to oily substances or to air.

 During the Vietnam War the lush tropical vegetation of the region provided both a cover for the North Vietnamese and a natural obstacle for our soldiers.  In response, the United States military sprayed approximately 19 million gal