Paraquat, which first became widely used in the 1960s, is an herbicide that has been used on many different crops for decades.
It is also incredibly toxic and can cause death in humans who consume even a small sip of the herbicide.
Exposure to paraquat has also been linked to Parkinson’s disease and other severe illnesses.
While paraquat was legal for use by anyone in the United States for more than half a century, that recently changed.
Today, purchasing and using herbicides that contain paraquat is prohibited by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unless the user has special certification and training.
Although it is not banned entirely, it is currently classified as a “restricted use” product.
Another highly controversial herbicide, Roundup, remains legal, although health concerns related to the use of Roundup have led many farmers to use paraquat products.
Studies have shown that exposure to paraquat is directly linked to an increased risk of contracting Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease is a nervous system disorder that causes symptoms such as tremors or palsy which turns into reduced mobility and muscle stiffness as the disease progresses.
Per research cited by the Unified Parkinson’s Advocacy Council, which is led by the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF), young people, including teens and young adults, are 200 percent to 600 percent more likely than the average person to develop Parkinson’s disease later in life after exposure to paraquat.
The percentage of risk regarding Parkinson’s disease is dependent on the individual’s level of exposure to the toxic chemical.
The Council also cited the Agricultural Health Study, which showed that farmers who either mixed or applied the herbicide were also at an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease later in life.
Farmers who were regularly exposed to products containing paraquat were 200 percent more likely to contract Parkinson’s disease, and certain gene defects increased the risk even further.
Other possible severe and debilitating consequences of paraquat exposure include brain damage, kidney damage, liver damage, lung damage, birth defects, miscarriages, heart conditions, heart failure, and in the most severe cases, death.
Even though the herbicide has been banned in many countries, including Brazil, Kuwait, Malaysia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and European Union nations, the United States has continued to allow paraquat use with restrictions.
The EPA decided to ban paraquat, made by many different manufacturers and sold under many different brand names, for general use due to its level of toxicity and potential for causing severe health conditions in humans if swallowed or inhaled.
In fact, according to the EPA, there have been 17 fatalities (including three children) caused by accidental paraquat ingestion since 2000.
These fatalities occurred after the herbicide was transferred from its container to a beverage container, which the victim assumed was safe to drink.
There have also been fatalities and severe injuries associated with skin exposure to paraquat.
In addition to restricting the use of this hazardous herbicide to licensed applicators, paraquat purchased in the United States contains a blue dye.
The purpose of the blue dye is to prevent commercially licensed farmers and certified agricultural workers from confusing the herbicide with beverages, such as coffee.
Paraquat sold in the U.S. also contains an agent that induces vomiting if the user accidentally consumes it, as well as a strong odor to prevent applicators from mistaking it for something else.
Because the EPA has categorized paraquat as a restricted-use chemical due to its toxic nature, only certain people are allowed to use and apply paraquat, including commercially licensed individuals and trained agricultural workers.
When using paraquat, licensed applicators should wear long-sleeved shirts, gloves, safety goggles, and a mask to prevent exposure to the herbicide.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) created a list of potential respirators that can be used for additional security when using and applying paraquat dichloride.
These respirators are specifically designed to prevent exposure to certain dangerous chemicals, including paraquat.
People who wish to become licensed applicators can find out more about the certification process by visiting the EPA’s website.
Individuals who are not licensed by the EPA, including uncertified individuals working under licensed applicators, are not allowed to use, mix, apply, or load paraquat or interact with the herbicide in any other way.
Such actions are against the law and can be subject to legal action.
Individuals who developed Parkinson’s disease or another serious illness after paraquat exposure have been filing lawsuits against various paraquat manufacturers in the United States.
People who mixed, loaded, sprayed, or applied paraquat, as well as individuals who lived near farmland where paraquat was frequently used, could be eligible to pursue compensation for damages they suffered as a result of exposure to the herbicide.
The plaintiffs in paraquat lawsuits are alleging that the manufacturers of the herbicide, which include Chevron and Syngenta, failed to warn agricultural workers, farmers, and others about the risks associated with using and applying the product.
Lawsuits are currently making their way through the courts.
If you would like to learn more about whether you are eligible to file a lawsuit against the manufacturers of paraquat, use our Instant Case Evaluation tool to get in touch with TruLaw.
Experienced Attorney & Legal SaaS CEO
With over 25 years of legal experience, Jessie is an Illinois lawyer, a CPA, and a mother of three. She spent the first decade of her career working as an international tax attorney at Deloitte.
In 2009, Jessie co-founded her own law firm with her husband – which has scaled to over 30 employees since its conception.
In 2016, Jessie founded TruLaw, which allows her to collaborate with attorneys and legal experts across the United States on a daily basis. This hypervaluable network of experts is what enables her to share reliable legal information with her readers!
Here, at TruLaw, we’re committed to helping victims get the justice they deserve.
Alongside our partner law firms, we have successfully collected over $3 Billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured individuals.
Would you like our help?
At TruLaw, we fiercely combat corporations that endanger individuals’ well-being. If you’ve suffered injuries and believe these well-funded entities should be held accountable, we’re here for you.
With TruLaw, you gain access to successful and seasoned lawyers who maximize your chances of success. Our lawyers invest in you—they do not receive a dime until your lawsuit reaches a successful resolution!
Do you believe you’re entitled to compensation?
Use our Instant Case Evaluator to find out in as little as 60 seconds!
Camp Lejeune’s water contamination issue spanned several decades starting in the 1950s. Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to various serious health issues, including cancer, organ diseases, and death.
Research is increasingly suggesting a link between the use of Tylenol during pregnancy and the development of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism and ADHD, in infants.
Legal action is being taken against manufacturers of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF), a chemical used in fighting fires. The plaintiffs allege that exposure to the foam caused health issues such as cancer, organ damage, and birth and fertility issues.
Here, at TruLaw, we’re committed to helping victims get the justice they deserve.
Alongside our partner law firms, we have successfully collected over $3 Billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured individuals.
Would you like our help?
Consumers are advised that Feel Good Foods, of New York, New York, has recalled its Gluten-Free Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Bagels in the Plain and Everything flavors due to the potential presence of undeclared gluten from cross-contamination. Individuals who live with an allergy or sensitivity
Consumers are advised that multiple undeclared allergens have been identified in the 4-ounce packages of ice cream sandwiches as well as the 5-liter containers and 4.75-liter pans of gelato produced by Belgian Yummies, of Fort Myers, Florida. According to the FDA, the affected products can
Hamtramck, Michigan-based Home Style Foods, Inc. has recalled 43 cases of its “Kowalski Simply Sides – Jack’s Potato Salad” because the product label does not list egg as an allergen on its ingredient panel. Consumers who live with an allergy or a serious sensitivity to