An explosion in a chemical plant releases dioxyne, the defoliant used in Vietnam. The workers clean up the machinery, then show signs of a skin disease developing; professional cleaners are called in, but are not told of the danger. This crew also becomes ill, one man dies. The company pays compensation, the incident is hushed up, and production commences again.

In an epilogue to the film, two professional cleaners in a chemical factory tell their stories.