Farm fields in California, the largest US agricultural state, are sprayed each year with an average of 2.5 million pounds of pesticides containing toxic PFAS, potentially exposing millions of people to the chemicals through contaminated food, soil and drinking water, according to a new analysis of state regulatory data.
Mounting scientific evidence links the pesticide paraquat to Parkinson’s disease, a debilitating and deadly brain disease on the rise in the US. Syngenta, the longtime international maker of the weed-killing chemical, knew of this link decades ago. TNL editor-in-chief Carey Gillam talks to lawyers, farmers, researchers and health advocates about paraquat’s devastating toll and the fight to hold Syngenta accountable.
A diverse group of food advocates, farmers, chefs and scientists is urging the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to define ultra-processed foods through a lens of public health, including what’s added or taken away from foods during processing, as well as any new risks introduced.
Environmental groups are pressing Iowa regulators for stricter water protections by getting up-to-date with federal recommendations and lowering nitrate limits, alleging that current safeguards are outdated, weak and leave Iowans exposed to toxics tied to rising cancer rates.
The US has been importing increasing amounts of paraquat, a pesticide widely used in farming that is linked to Parkinson’s disease, even as other countries have banned the chemical amid growing concerns about risks to human and environmental health, according to the findings of a new report.
Syngenta’s effort to settle thousands of lawsuits alleging its paraquat weed killer causes Parkinson’s disease may be running into a potential roadblock as some plaintiffs’ lawyers see the settlement terms as unfair to their clients.
Children whose mothers lived near farms and fields treated with certain pesticides during pregnancy have a higher risk of a deadly cancer that is most commonly found in infants before their first birthday, according to a new study.
A battle in Washington is unfolding over a proposal that could limit lawsuits against pesticide manufacturers. Supporters — including major chemical companies and some lawmakers — say it would protect farmer access to critical weed killers and other farm aids while preventing a patchwork of varying state rules. Critics argue it would strip away the rights of farmers and consumers to seek justice if pesticides cause harm.
A coalition of family farmers and meat companies gathered in the nation’s capital this week to fight federal efforts aimed at blocking state laws that promote humane, crate-free treatment of livestock.
A coalition of food, environmental and animal welfare groups is appealing a recent federal court decision that upheld a US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule exempting factory farms from publicly disclosing hazardous air emissions information.