Is Paraquat in Roundup?
- Last Updated: July 27th, 2023
Attorney Jessica Paluch-Hoerman, founder of TruLaw, has over 28 years of experience as a personal injury and mass tort attorney, and previously worked as an international tax attorney at Deloitte. Jessie collaborates with attorneys nationwide — enabling her to share reliable, up-to-date legal information with our readers.
Legally Reviewed
This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy and clarity by the team of writers and legal experts at TruLaw and is as accurate as possible. This content should not be taken as legal advice from an attorney. If you would like to learn more about our owner and experienced injury lawyer, Jessie Paluch, you can do so here.
Fact-Checked
TruLaw does everything possible to make sure the information in this article is up to date and accurate. If you need specific legal advice about your case, contact us by using the chat on the bottom of this page. This article should not be taken as advice from an attorney.
Is Paraquat in Roundup?
In recent years, a number of herbicides have generated a large amount of controversy due to their potential health risks.
Two of the most controversial chemical weedkillers are paraquat (also known by the brand name Gramoxone, among others) and Roundup.
Because of their enormous popularity and their links to long-term health concerns, both herbicides have been the subject of thousands of lawsuits by those who have been affected.
Amid all the ongoing conversations about these products, many people are wondering how they might be related.
Specifically, it is common to ask whether paraquat is an ingredient in Roundup.
Roundup does not, in fact, contain paraquat.
It is worth mentioning, for the sake of clarity, that paraquat does not contain Roundup either.
That being said, both herbicides pose serious health risks to people who have been exposed to them on both an immediate and long-term basis.
For this reason, it is helpful to know more about both Roundup and paraquat.
Table of Contents
What Are the Similarities between Roundup and Paraquat?
Paraquat dichloride and glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup) are two chemicals that have a lot in common:
- Both Roundup and paraquat are powerful non-selective contact herbicides. This means that they will kill most plants on contact.
- Both Roundup and paraquat are used widely used on many crops throughout the United States.
- Both Roundup and paraquat are controversial because they are believed to have strong associations with serious, long-term health problems.
- The manufacturers of both Roundup and paraquat are facing thousands of lawsuits due to their alleged health risks.
What Health Problems Do Scientists Believe Paraquat and Roundup Cause?
According to a number of studies, Roundup has a strong association with the development of certain types of cancer, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Similarly, studies have linked paraquat to a twofold increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
Because of this, there are thousands of ongoing lawsuits in the United States alleging that the manufacturers of both these herbicides have failed to warn consumers and continued to market these products despite the known health risks.
Bayer, the company that manufactures Roundup, denies any wrongdoing or negligence.
Syngenta and Chevron, the major manufacturers of paraquat, also deny wrongdoing.
Is the Use of Roundup Still Permitted in the United States?
Despite the serious allegations that Roundup is carcinogenic (cancer-causing), Roundup is still legal to use in the United States.
In fact, because it is such an effective weedkiller, Roundup is one of the most popular herbicides in the country.
While the controversy over its health concerns has led many in the agricultural sector to turn to alternative products (such as paraquat), the fact that Roundup is still permitted for residential use means that it is still a common weedkiller that people use in their own backyards.
However, and partly due to the ongoing legal action, Bayer will stop selling the current formulations of Roundup for use in residential areas in 2023.
They are planning to replace the product with a version that does not contain glyphosate.
Farmers, however, will still be able to continue to use Roundup in its current form.
Is the Use of Paraquat Still Permitted in the United States?
As is the case with Roundup, paraquat is still legal in the United States, and has been a highly popular herbicide since the 1950s.
However, due to the severe and potentially fatal consequences of exposure to paraquat, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that only those with special training and a specific license be permitted to use paraquat for agricultural purposes.
Unlike Roundup, there are currently no permitted uses for paraquat in residential areas.
In addition to the EPA, there are several other scientific and advocacy organizations that have warnings about paraquat and its possible health risks.
These include the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the American Parkinson’s Disease Association.
However, according to the National Water-Quality Assessment Project, the use of paraquat has actually seen a sharp increase in recent years.
Ironically, this is in part due to the warnings and concerns that have been raised about the dangers of Roundup.
Paraquat products continue to enjoy relatively unrestricted use in many underdeveloped nations, particularly because they are both inexpensive and effective.
Nevertheless, many countries have banned its use outright.
There are currently more than 40 nations that do not permit the use of products that contain paraquat, including the countries of the European Union, the United Kingdom, and China.
Considering the ongoing Multidistrict Litigation against corporations that produce paraquat products, it may be only a matter of time before the United States considers stricter limitations on the use of this chemical as well.
If you believe you or a loved one was exposed to paraquat or Roundup, you may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages.
TruLaw and their attorneys are investigating paraquat and Roundup lawsuits today.
Use our instant Case Evaluation tool to learn if you are eligible to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of paraquat or Roundup today.
Managing Attorney & Owner
With over 25 years of legal experience, Jessica Paluch-Hoerman 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 the most reliable, accurate, and up-to-date legal information with our 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!
AFFF Lawsuit claims are being filed against manufacturers of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), commonly used in firefighting.
Claims allege that companies such as 3M, DuPont, and Tyco Fire Products failed to adequately warn users about the potential dangers of AFFF exposure — including increased risks of various cancers and diseases.
Depo Provera Lawsuit claims are being filed by individuals who allege they developed meningioma (a type of brain tumor) after receiving Depo-Provera birth control injections.
A 2024 study found that women using Depo-Provera for at least 1 year are five times more likely to develop meningioma brain tumors compared to those not using the drug.
Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit claims are being filed against Indivior, the manufacturer of Suboxone, a medication used to treat opioid addiction.
Claims allege that Indivior failed to adequately warn users about the potential dangers of severe tooth decay and dental injuries associated with Suboxone’s sublingual film version.
Social Media Harm Lawsuits are being filed against social media companies for allegedly causing mental health issues in children and teens.
Claims allege that companies like Meta, Google, ByteDance, and Snap designed addictive platforms that led to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues without adequately warning users or parents.
Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits are being filed against manufacturers of transvaginal mesh products used to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
Claims allege that companies like Ethicon, C.R. Bard, and Boston Scientific failed to adequately warn about potential dangers — including erosion, pain, and infection.
Bair Hugger Warming Blanket Lawsuits involve claims against 3M — alleging their surgical warming blankets caused severe infections and complications (particularly in hip and knee replacement surgeries).
Plaintiffs claim 3M failed to warn about potential risks — despite knowing about increased risk of deep joint infections since 2011.
Baby Formula NEC Lawsuit claims are being filed against manufacturers of cow’s milk-based baby formula products.
Claims allege that companies like Abbott Laboratories (Similac) and Mead Johnson & Company (Enfamil) failed to warn about the increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants.
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?
