Fort Detrick tested Agent Orange between 1946 and '63

Fort Detrick tested Agent Orange between 1946 and '63

Researchers at Camp Detrick and later Fort Detrick tested Agent Orange and other herbicides used in Vietnam many times between 1946 and 1963, according to Department of Defense records.

The tests included experiments of plant inhibitors sprayed or applied to the soil to be soaked in by roots, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Office of Public Health and Environmental Affairs.

Additionally, researchers at Camp Detrick tested the feasibility of an experimental spray tower for applying a mixture of chemical anti-crop agents to broad-leaf crops in the spring and summer of 1953, according to a Veterans Affairs report titled "Agent Orange: Herbicide Tests and Storage in the U.S."

Tests were also conducted at other locations in Maryland, including Fort Richie, Fort Meade and Aberdeen Proving Ground.

Fort Detrick spokesman Rob Sperling said researchers mostly tested small quantities of the herbicides on batches of plants in greenhouses. Fort Detrick officials are searching government documents to determine the extent of its past use of Agent Orange in Frederick fields.

Below is information from the Veterans Affairs' Office of Public Health and Environmental Affairs on projects to test at Camp Detrick, and later Fort Detrick:

-- Location: Camp Detrick

Fields A, B and C

Dates: 1946-47

Project description: The experiments were directed toward the investigation of plant inhibitors applied as sprays or to the soil in the solid form to be taken up by the roots.

Agents: 2,4,5-T, 2,4,5-T triethanolamine, tributylphosphate, ethyl 2,4-D, butyl 2,4,5-Ttriet 2,4-D

Defense Department involvement: Yes

-- Location: Camp Detrick

Fields C, D and E

Dates: 1948

Project description: The experiments were directed toward the investigation of plant inhibitors applied as sprays or to the soil in the solid form to be taken up by the roots.

Agents: 2,4,5-T, isopropyl phenol carbamate, LN-2426, 2,4-D

Defense Department involvement: Yes

-- Location: Camp Detrick

Fields C, D and E

Dates: 1949

Project description: The experiments were directed toward the investigation of plant inhibitors applied as sprays or to the soil in the solid form to be taken up by the roots. Experiments were done by Ennis, DeRose, Newman, Williamson, DeRigo and Thomas.

Agents: Triethelyne. 2,4,5-T, carbamates

Defense Department involvement: Yes

-- Location: Camp Detrick

Fields A, B, D and E

Dates: 1950

Project description: The experiments were directed toward the investigation of plant inhibitors applied as sprays or to the soil in the solid form to be taken up by the roots. Experiments were done by Ennis, DeRose, Acker, Newman, Williamson and Zimmerly.

Agents: 2464, butyl 2,4-D, 974, butyl 2,4,5-T, q:q 143 and 974

Defense Department involvement: Yes

-- Location: Camp Detrick

Field F

Dates: 1950-51

Project description: The experiments were directed toward the investigation of plant inhibitors applied as sprays or to the soil in the solid form to be taken up by the roots. Experiments were done by Acker, DeRose, McLane, Newman, Williamson, Baker, Dean, Johnson, Taylor, Walker and Zimmerly.

Agents: 2464, carbamate, butyl 2,4-D, 143 and 974 (orange?), 2,4,5-T, 2,4-D, Orange

Defense Department involvement: Yes

-- Location: Area B,

Camp Detrick

Dates: Spring/summer 1953

Project description: Personnel at Camp Detrick tested the feasibility of using an experimental spray tower for applying a mixture of chemical anti-crop agents to broad-leaf crops.

Agents: 3:1 mixture 2, 4-D and 2, 4, 5-T

Defense Department involvement: Yes

-- Location: Fort Detrick,

Fort Ritchie

Dates: 1956-57

Project description: In 1956 and 1957, defoliation and desiccation were carried out at Fort Detrick and Fort Ritchie by the Chemical Corps and Biological Warfare Research. These were bench tests.

Agents: Various, 577 compounds

Defense Department involvement: Yes

-- Location: Fort Detrick

Dates: August 1961 to June 1963

Project description: From August 1961 to June 1963, compounds were spray-tested in the greenhouse to evaluate them as effective defoliants, desiccants and herbicides.

Agents: 1410 compounds

Defense Department involvement: Yes