Pesticide manufacturers have voluntarily cancelled registrations for products containing paraquat in California — kickstarting a statewide phase-out of the controversial herbicide linked to Parkinson’s disease, according to a California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) announcement on Monday.
A federal judge overseeing nationwide litigation involving allegations that exposure to paraquat weed killing products causes Parkinson’s disease is applying pressure to plaintiffs who are not accepting settlement agreements proposed by paraquat maker Syngenta.
US regulators will hold a forum this summer to explore safety concerns surrounding paraquat weed killer, a pesticide used for decades in farm fields that has been linked to health risks that include Parkinson’s disease.
Some US lawmakers are rushing to introduce legislation to reverse the impact of a US Supreme Court ruling handed down last week that overturned years of precedent by limiting consumer lawsuits against pesticide companies.
Vermont this week became the first US state to ban paraquat, a widely used herbicide that researchers have linked to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease.
Vermont on Tuesday became the first US state to ban the weed-killing pesticide paraquat, backed by lawmakers who cited concerns about research showing the chemical may cause Parkinson’s disease.
Vermont this week became the first US state to ban the weed-killing pesticide paraquat, backed by lawmakers who cited concerns about research showing the chemical may cause the incurable brain ailment known as Parkinson’s disease.
WAYNESBORO, Miss. — Wayne County, Mississippi, in a quiet southeast corner of the state, is home to about 20,000 people surrounded by forest and farmland. But Wayne distinguishes itself in two ways: it is home to a Sipcam Agro plant that processes the toxic herbicide paraquat. Within the US, the plant is the largest single emitter of paraquat.
A US Supreme Court hearing that will take up the thorny question of pesticide regulation on Monday is sparking heated debate over the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) when it comes to protecting consumers from harm.
Our investigation with The Guardian previously uncovered internal company documents showing Syngenta knew for decades about research linking paraquat to Parkinson’s disease and sought to influence scientific research and public opinion.