The term "agent purple" refers to a herbicide used during the Vietnam War. In terms of spelling, "agent" is pronounced /ˈejdʒənt/ (AY-jent) with stress on the first syllable and the vowel in the second syllable pronounced as the "uh" sound. "Purple" is pronounced /ˈpɜrpəl/ (PUR-puhl) with stress on the first syllable and the letter "u" pronounced as the "uh" sound. The combination of these words creates a unique sound that is easily recognizable, and its spelling accurately reflects its pronunciation.
Agent Purple refers to a highly toxic defoliant herbicide that was extensively used during the Vietnam War by the U.S. military as a part of the herbicidal warfare program, Operation Ranch Hand. It is categorized as one of the so-called "rainbow herbicides" along with other compounds like Agent Orange and Agent Blue, which were designed to destroy dense vegetation and disrupt the enemy's ability to camouflage and take cover. Agent Purple comprised a mixture of two herbicides, namely, 2,4,5-T and 2,4-D, with the former being the dominant component.
This defoliant, denoted by the color-coded identifier "purple," was primarily used to clear vegetation in forested areas and along the perimeters of military bases to enhance visibility and expose enemy positions. However, Agent Purple had severe health consequences due to its dioxin contamination. Dioxin is a highly toxic compound that is generated as a byproduct during the production process of 2,4,5-T and is considered carcinogenic, causing a host of health issues including cancers, birth defects, and numerous other long-term health problems.
Subsequently, the usage of Agent Purple was discontinued in 1969, and all remaining stocks were destroyed. The negative impact of Agent Purple on human health and the environment reinforced the global awareness of the damaging consequences of herbicides and paved the way for more comprehensive regulations on chemical warfare.