Barnyard BOb wrote:

Most of the problems associated with the use of Agent Orange were
associated with a CONTAMINANT (*dioxin*) in the 2,4,5-T component of
the defoliant. The association of 2,4-D with Agent Orange has prompted
a vast amount of study on the herbicide.
FWIW....
I sprayed untold thousands of gallons of 2,4,5-T mixed with diesel
fuel for decades to defoliate cotton, kill Texas mesquite trees and
curently use 2.4-D to kill dandelions.

It's hard to draw any conclusions with limited statistical data. I too
sprayed the stuff literally by the thousands of gallons (400 gallons at
the time), for years as a kid. No respirator, not even a mask. Used to
come back drenched in the stuff. [We mixed the broad leaf and narrow
leaf defoliants for fence lines and wherever the boss wanted to wipe
out plant life as we know it.]

On the other hand, I've never smoked, worked with asbestos, or had any
genetic risks for cancer in my family history. Had cancer in my 40's.
Connection? Don't know, but I strongly suspect it didn't help.

At least I still have my flight medical... but that surgery and more
than a year of chemo was *not* one of the more fun times in my life.