law

July 8, 2025

With trial approaching, Syngenta settles paraquat lawsuit brought by Parkinson’s patient

By Carey Gillam

Less than a month ahead of what would have been the first US trial over allegations that a popular weedkiller made by agrochemical giant Syngenta causes Parkinson’s disease, the parties have agreed to settle the case. With a looming Aug. 4 Philadelphia trial date, the case of Douglas Nemeth v. Syngenta, which previously was delayed multiple times, was being closely watched as the two sides battled over evidence to be presented and expert witnesses.

July 7, 2025

Postcard from California: Plastics ‘recycling’ – out of sight, out of mind

By Bill Walker

Last year California shipped more than 156 million pounds of plastic waste to poor countries, with almost three-fourths sent to Mexico and another 44 million pounds sent to developing nations in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. That’s the reality behind the blue recycling bins Californians fill with plastic waste for curbside pickup. We may think we’re recycling, but we’re really sending much of our waste out of sight, out of mind.

April 15, 2025

Syngenta moving to settle thousands of lawsuits claiming paraquat causes Parkinson’s disease

By Carey Gillam

Besieged by thousands of lawsuits alleging that its paraquat weedkiller causes Parkinson’s disease, Syngenta has entered into an agreement aimed at settling large swaths of those claims.

April 4, 2025

Analysis raises concerns about potential misuse of atrazine weedkiller in US Midwest

By Douglas Main

Corn growers across Midwestern states appear to be flouting regulations aimed at protecting important waterways from contamination with toxic atrazine weedkiller, according to an analysis of satellite imagery and field data that comes as US regulators ponder changes to rules for use of the pesticide.

March 25, 2025

As EPA shutters environmental justice offices, rural Americans at risk

By Julia Tilton / The Daily Yonder

Environmental justice efforts at the 10 US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regional offices have stopped and employees have been placed on administrative leave, per an announcement from EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin earlier this month. Former EPA employees involved with environmental justice work across the country say rural communities will suffer as a result.

March 24, 2025

$2 billion Roundup jury verdict drives down Bayer shares as company seeks law change

By Carey Gillam

A Georgia jury verdict ordering Bayer AG to pay over $2 billion to a man suffering from cancer he blamed on his use of Roundup weed killer comes as that state’s governor weighs whether to sign into law a measure that would effectively bar such cases from going to trial in the future.

March 21, 2025

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

March 7, 2025

Amid lack of faith in FDA, US states rush to ban food dyes

By Carey Gillam

Call it a MAHA moment. At least a dozen US states – from traditionally conservative Oklahoma to liberal-leaning New York – are rushing to pass laws outlawing commonly used dyes and other chemical additives in foods, citing a need to protect public health.

March 4, 2025

Postcard from California: Chemical warning labels are everywhere – and they’re working

By Bill Walker

A driver entering an enclosed parking garage in California is greeted by a 20-by-20-inch sign declaring in 72-point type:
WARNING: Breathing the air in this parking garage can expose you to chemicals including carbon monoxide and gasoline or diesel engine exhaust, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

February 10, 2025

Fluoride in drinking water – what the public needs to know

By Tom Theimer

After decades of debate, there no longer is any doubt that the widespread US practice of adding fluoride to drinking water is posing risks to our health.