Anyone working with the Paraquat weed killer over a period of time may be at risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. As a result, thousands of claimants have joined forces in a Paraquat lawsuit against the producers of this toxic substance.
Advocates are calling for a ban on paraquat due to its harmful effects on farmworkers and its link to Parkinson’s disease.
As the mass tort lawyers at Rueb Stoller and Daniel know, the defendants aggressively deny the claim. One of their arguments is that the US Environmental Protection Agency still allows it to be sold and used on crops. Thus, the product is safe if it is used according to the instructions.
This is far from the truth, as we will show evidence indicating the link between Paraquat and Parkinson’s disease. Contact our law firm today for help if you believe you’ve been affected.
What Is Paraquat?
Paraquat is a highly toxic herbicide commonly used to control weeds and grasses in agricultural settings. Paraquat belongs to the chemical class of bipyridyl compounds, known for their high toxicity and effectiveness in weed control. It is known for its quick action and effectiveness in eliminating various types of plants, but it is also infamous for its significant health risks.
Paraquat works by disrupting photosynthesis in plants, leading to their rapid death upon contact. However, its toxicity extends beyond plants to humans and animals. Exposure to paraquat can occur through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact, and it poses severe health hazards, including acute poisoning and long-term health complications such as Parkinson’s disease. Due to its toxicity, paraquat is heavily regulated in many countries, with stringent guidelines on its use and handling to minimize risks to human health and the environment.
What Is Parkinson’s Disease and Its Symptoms?
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive disorder affecting the nervous system and the body parts controlled by the affected nerves. At present, there is no cure for PD, just medication to slow down its progress and improve the symptoms.
In the early stages, the symptoms are mild and barely noticeable. However, they will worsen over time, to the point when the patient becomes unable to perform basic tasks.
The most common symptoms of PD are:
- Tremors in the fingers and hands
- Slowed movement (bradykinesia), evident in difficulty in getting up from a chair or shuffling of feet while walking
- Muscle stiffness in various parts of the body
- Loss of automatic movements, such as swinging the arms while walking
- Stooping posture
- Speech changes – speaking softly or slurring the words, developing a monotonous tone
- Handwriting changes.
Causes of Parkinson’s Disease
Researchers have determined two major causes of Parkinson’s:
- Genetics
- Environmental triggers.
Pesticide use, particularly exposure to herbicides like Paraquat, is also a significant environmental trigger for Parkinson’s disease. Environmental exposure to chemical substances, such as weed killers (including pesticides paraquat), is cited by doctors as one of the environmental factors contributing to the disease. These environmental factors, particularly during the prenatal and perinatal periods, can have significant impacts on neurodevelopment and may contribute to the early onset of parkinsonism.
It is worth noting that a large study conducted in 2021 shows that the death rate from PD has increased by 63% across the United States over the last 20 years. The researchers analyzed nearly half a million deaths caused by PD in order to establish this staggering growth.
At the same time, an interactive map on the Paraquat use across the US shows a significant increase in the crop areas treated with this toxic weed killer.
Studies Show a Link Between Herbicide Paraquat and Parkinson’s
Scientific studies point to a link between Paraquat and Parkinson’s disease. The research strategy involved comparing findings from multiple studies to assess the association between paraquat exposure and Parkinson’s disease.
The findings are centralized in a complex research paper. Nineteen researchers from different institutions and universities compared the findings of eight other studies, spanning from 1990 to 2010. The Agricultural Health Study conducted a cohort investigation of agricultural workers to assess the association between pesticide exposure and neurological symptoms, including Parkinson’s disease.
All these clinical studies involved patients with Parkinson’s Disease who were exposed to pesticides in the course of their work. One of these pesticides is Paraquat. Future investigations should assess the effects of combined exposure to pesticides, particularly paraquat, and consider potential interactions between genetic susceptibility, pesticide exposure, and age.
All these clinical studies involved patients with Parkinson’s Disease who were exposed to pesticides in the course of their work. One of these pesticides is Paraquat. The researchers’ conclusion is this:
“Our findings, considered together with earlier results, suggest that paraquat use plays a role in human PD. Because paraquat remains one of the most widely used herbicides, this finding potentially has great public health significance and highlights the health risks associated with paraquat exposure.”
Who Is at Risk of Developing PD after Paraquat Exposure?
People exposed to the Paraquat weed killer over a period of time are at risk of developing Parkinson’s disease due to human exposure. This means that many categories of people may be eligible to seek damages for developing Parkinson’s due to exposure to the weed killer, such as:
There is an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease due to paraquat use.
- People who live or work on a farm.
- Factory workers in facilities where Paraquat is manufactured
- People licensed to apply Paraquat.
- People living in agricultural areas where Paraquat is used.
Why is Paraquat Still on the Market
Paraquat, a widely used herbicide, remains on the market despite its known health risks due to several factors. Firstly, paraquat is highly effective in controlling a broad spectrum of weeds, making it valuable to agriculture for its efficiency in crop protection and weed management.
Its fast action and ability to kill weeds quickly contribute to its continued use by farmers and agricultural industries worldwide. Chemical companies have significant influence in the regulatory process, often downplaying the harmful effects of paraquat to maintain its market presence.
Secondly, regulatory agencies in various countries, including the United States, have assessed paraquat’s risks and benefits through rigorous scientific evaluations. While acknowledging its toxicity, these agencies have implemented strict regulations and safety measures to mitigate exposure and protect public health. For instance, in the United States, paraquat is classified as a restricted-use pesticide, requiring special training and certification for its application, thereby reducing the likelihood of accidental exposure.
The Center for Biological Diversity has raised concerns about the impact of paraquat on environmental health and biological diversity, advocating for stricter regulations.
Moreover, the agricultural sector relies on paraquat as an essential tool in sustainable farming practices, including no-till agriculture and weed resistance management. Alternatives to paraquat may not offer the same level of efficacy or cost-effectiveness, making it challenging for farmers to completely phase out its use without viable alternatives that match its effectiveness.
As a result, paraquat remains a contentious topic, balancing its agricultural benefits with the need for stringent safety measures to minimize health risks to users and the environment.
Find Out If You Can Join a Paraquat Lawsuit Against the Environmental Protection Agency
If you were exposed to Paraquat on a consistent basis and were diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, you may have the right to join the mass tort lawsuit against the producers of the weed killer.
The best way of finding out if you have a valid case is to bring all the available employment and medical records to an experienced mass tort lawyer at Rueb Stoller Daniel.
Remember that you still need to comply with the statute of limitations in your state, so contact us at to schedule a free case review as soon as possible.
