29. Agent Orange

During the Vietnam War, the US deployed Agent Orange as a defoliant to eradicate forests, stripping guerrillas of their hiding spots. This chemical warfare cleared over 31,000 square kilometers of vegetation but at a dire cost. The environment suffered severe contamination, profoundly affecting civilians and American soldiers alike.

The exposure led to an alarming increase in cancer rates and birth defects, casting long shadows of suffering. Legal battles ensued, with veterans and affected communities seeking justice against chemical manufacturers. While a 2004 lawsuit against the US government was unsuccessful, a significant turn came in 2011 when the US and Vietnam agreed on a decontamination fund.