Paraquat victims

Paraquat Resources Overview

The toxicity of paraquat, also known as Gramoxone, has long been known to scientists. An adult can die from just one sip of paraquat, which is extremely toxic. There has been growing evidence that repeated exposure to paraquat in low doses may be associated with Parkinson’s disease in recent years. A study found that exposure to paraquat increases Parkinson’s risk by 150 percent.

Paraquat has been banned in more than 60 countries. Although the herbicide has been linked to Parkinson’s disease, health concerns have grown and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is not doing enough to restrict its use.

Farmers and agricultural workers continue to be exposed to paraquat with its increased use in the U.S. A number of lawsuits have been filed claiming that Paraquat exposure caused people to develop Parkinson’s disease and that Paraquat manufacturer Syngenta failed to warn of this serious risk.

FAQs

What Is the Common Use of Paraquat?

Farmers use paraquat to grow a wide variety of crops, including corn, soy, cotton, peanuts, wheat, almonds, strawberries, grapes, sweet potatoes, and others. Due to its effectiveness against “superweeds” that have developed resistance to glyphosate (e.g. Roundup), its use has doubled over the past decade. Crops such as cotton can also be desiccated prior to harvest with it. The number of pounds of paraquat applied by farmers each year exceeds 10 million pounds.

Paraquat is classified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as a “restricted use pesticide” because of its dangerous toxicity levels. Only certified applicators who receive EPA-approved training can use paraquat products.

It is not legal to use paraquat in residential areas or near schools, parks, golf courses, or playgrounds.

Is Parkinson’s disease associated with paraquat use?

Paraquat has been found to double the risk of Parkinson’s disease in people who use it. The wind can also carry the airborne chemical, paraquat, into neighborhoods and other areas populated with people if paraquat is used in that area. Numerous studies investigated the safety of paraquat but its manufacturer refused to acknowledge the risks, subjecting thousands of innocent individuals to a hazardous chemical for over a decade.

Does Paraquat cause Parkinson’s Disease? Is there any scientific evidence that it does?

Paraquat has been linked to Parkinson’s disease in numerous scientific studies. According to a large study of U.S. farmers published in 2011, those who used paraquat had twice the risk of developing Parkinson’s. Further research has found that persistent exposure over a long period of time increases the risk of Parkinson’s disease. A study by Louisiana State University found a relationship between a person’s zip code and proximity to cropland where paraquat is applied and the risk of Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s is thought to be caused by a deficit in the neurotransmitter dopamine. Researchers have demonstrated that paraquat can kill the nerve cells in the brain responsible for producing dopamine. Researchers at the University of Rochester say paraquat can penetrate the brain if it is inhaled by workers who come into contact with aerosolized droplets during crop spraying. Paraquat may also end up in the brain after ingestion or contact with the skin. Paraquat is distributed throughout the body once it enters the body, notes the CDC.

Does Paraquat Exposure Pose a Risk for Parkinson’s Disease?

Paraquat exposure is most likely to occur in farmers and agricultural workers who work directly with paraquat. The most common ways of exposure are as follows:

• Loading or mixing paraquat
• Applying or spraying paraquat
• Maintenance of equipment and tanks used to spray paraquat
• Visiting a field where paraquat was sprayed

Agricultural workers are not the only ones at risk. Paraquat can also drift to nearby communities after being applied. The use of paraquat in agriculture may therefore expose people who live in agricultural areas to paraquat. Groundwater and well water may be contaminated by paraquat, just as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains are contaminated by it.

Are there any Paraquat lawsuits?

It is unfortunate that many people who live near agricultural areas where paraquat is used have developed Parkinson’s disease. Paraquat is widely used by many farmers without them understanding its devastating effects, which makes its widespread use even more alarming. The Bodden and Bennett Law Group can help you if you or a loved one have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease after exposure to pesticides.

How Does the Paraquat Settlement Work?

Despite knowing the risks of their product, Syngenta failed to disclose them to the public, causing thousands of agricultural workers to be exposed without knowing their harmful side effects. Parkinson’s patients need consistent treatment to improve their quality of life, which is an expense they cannot afford without proper compensation.

Nevertheless, you may be able to recover your medical costs, lost wages, and suffering damages by holding Syngenta liable for their negligence.

Am I eligible to sue Paraquat?

A number of plaintiffs claiming Parkinson’s disease have filed lawsuits claiming Syngenta’s herbicide Paraquat caused their illness. You may be able to file a lawsuit if you developed Parkinson’s after exposure to Paraquat as a farmer or pesticide applicator. If a lawsuit is successful, compensation can be provided for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses.

Is paraquat present in Roundup?

Despite its dangerous chemical content, Roundup doesn’t contain paraquat. In the agricultural industry, crop resistance has led to the widespread use of paraquat, which has lessened the effectiveness of Roundup’s active ingredient, glyphosate.

Contact Us

Contact us today at (833) 4BNBLAW or info@bb.law