Syngenta closer to settling thousands of US paraquat lawsuits
Syngenta is another step closer to potentially putting an end to thousands of lawsuits brought by people blaming the company’s paraquat weed killer for causing Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease
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.
Dying before their day in court – Syngenta paraquat litigation drags on as Parkinson’s victims suffer
By Carey Gillam
In the nationwide legal battle between pesticide maker Syngenta and thousands of people suffering from Parkinson’s disease they blame on exposure to paraquat weed killer, plaintiffs are dying faster than they can get to trial.
Profiling of pesticide industry opponents halted after company practices exposed
A US company that was secretly profiling hundreds of food and environmental health advocates in a private web portal has halted the operations in the face of widespread backlash after its actions were exposed by The New Lede and other reporting partners.
EPA moves to withdraw decision on paraquat, delays report on risks
By Carey Gillam
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving to withdraw its interim regulatory decision on paraquat, announcing that it needs more time to examine the potential health effects of the weed killing chemical that has been widely used in agriculture for decades, but also linked for years to the incurable brain ailment known as Parkinson’s disease.
US Congress members call on EPA to ban paraquat, citing risk of Parkinson’s and other diseases
By Carey Gillam
More than 50 US lawmakers are calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to join dozens of other nations in banning a widely used weed killer linked to Parkinson’s disease and other health dangers.
“Defend or be damned” – How a US company uses government funds to suppress pesticide opposition around the world
In 2017, two United Nations experts called for a treaty to strictly regulate dangerous pesticides, which they said were a “global human rights concern”, citing scientific research showing pesticides can cause cancers, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, and other health problems.
California passes law ordering review of paraquat weed killer
By Carey Gillam
Efforts by some California lawmakers to ban the controversial weed killing chemical paraquat ended this week with passage of a law that keeps the chemical in use but requires a reevaluation by regulators within the next five years.
Lawsuit alleges company illegally discharged cancer-causing TCE for decades
By Shannon Kelleher and Carey Gillam
A Mississippi auto parts company illegally dumped toxic waste for more than 50 years, poisoning workers and sparking a cluster of cancer cases, according to a lawsuit filed this week by a group of former employees.
Paraquat ban stays alive, advances in California
By Carey Gillam
A proposal to ban the weed killing chemical paraquat cleared the California State Assembly last week and now faces a fight in the State Senate over what would be the first such ban in the country.