The Cases Against Paraquat
How Harmful Is Paraquat?
Paraquat is an herbicide used on commercial farms in the U.S. to control weeds. It is primarily available as a liquid solution, colored with blue dye. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified Paraquat as a "restricted use pesticide" due to its extreme toxicity. This means it can only be sold to and used by Certified Applicators.
If you or a loved one have experienced adverse side effects or have been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease after exposure to Paraquat, call Foshee & Yaffe today. Our team is here to help.
Exposure can happen through skin contact, accidental ingestion (swallowing) or by breathing in the herbicide. Multiple studies have found that Paraquat exposure increases the risk of Parkinson's disease. This unique risk factor has not been linked to other herbicides.
We Can Help You Seek Justice.
Paraquat exposure and a resulting diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease are the focal points of litigation against Paraquat manufacturers.
If you or a loved one have experienced adverse side effects or have been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease after exposure to Paraquat, call Foshee & Yaffe for a no-cost case evaluation.
The Cases
Against Paraquat
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Who's At Risk?
- Farmers and agricultural workers
- Herbicide applicators,
both certified & non-certified - Residents living near commercial farmland
Paraquat has been known to ‘drift,’ and people living on or near farms could be unknowingly exposed.
Government Regulation Of Paraquat
There was concern in 2013 regarding deaths caused by accidental ingestion of Paraquat. The California Poison Control System and the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) sent letters of concern to EPA The AAPCC cited 50 deaths from Paraquat, where at least 12 of those deaths resulted from accidental ingestion of Paraquat stored in beverage containers.
As a result, the EPA warned the herbicide applicator community about the high toxicity of Paraquat and released safety guidelines to prevent poisoning and protect workers. The Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has also released similar documentation for exposure-related emergencies.
Sources
Environmental Protection Agency. Paraquat Dichloride: One Sip Can Kill. EPA Pesticide Worker Saftety [online]. https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/paraquat-dichloride-one-sip-can-kill
Environmental Protection Agency. Actions to Prevent Accidental Ingestion and Reduce Exposure to Workers. Ingredients Used In Pesticide Products: Paraquat Dichloride [online]. https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/paraquat-dichloride#action
Centers For Disease Control & Prevention. (2018). Facts About Paraquat. CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response [online]. https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/paraquat/basics/facts.asp
Centers For Disease Control & Prevention. (2016). New Study First to Describe Scope of Illness Associated with the Use of Two Common Herbicides. NIOSH Press Releases and Updates [online]. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-02-03-16.html
Luff, P., Parfitt, M. A. (n.d.). HarrisMartin's Webinar Series: Paraquat Herbicide Litigation. In Background Information on Paraquat. Haddonfield.
Marin, M. (n.d.). What Is the Status of the Paraquat Lawsuits in 2021? hg.org. https://www.hg.org/legal-articles/what-is-the-status-of-the-paraquat-lawsuits-in-2021-59077.
Wagstaff, A. H., Miller, M. J. (n.d.). HarrisMartin's Webinar Series: Paraquat Herbicide Litigation. In Status of Litigation & Lessons Learned From the Roundup Litigation. Haddonfield.
Effects of exposure may also include:
- Development of symptoms linked to Parkinson’s Disease
- Heart, kidney and/or liver failure
- Lung scarring and/or fluid in the lungs
- Respiratory failure
- Digestive tract irritation
- Muscle weakness
- Seizures
Paraquat is marketed under various brand names, including but not limited to:
• Gramoxone
• Firestorm
• HelmQuat
• Parazone
• Cyclone
• Para Shot