California Moves to Ban Toxic Herbicide Paraquat, Linked to Parkinson’s

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is backing legislation aimed at banning the use of the highly toxic herbicide paraquat in California. This legislative push comes on the heels of mounting scientific evidence linking paraquat exposure to severe health risks, particularly an elevated risk of Parkinson’s disease.

Assembly Bill 1963, authored by Assemblymember Lisa Friedman (D-Burbank) and supported by the EWG, seeks to prohibit the use of paraquat in California by January 2026. The bill is urgently needed to protect Californians, especially those in rural communities, from the detrimental effects of paraquat exposure.

An EWG analysis revealed alarming figures, showing that millions of pounds of paraquat were sprayed in California between 2017 and 2021, with Kern County emerging as a particularly concerning hotspot. This underscores the urgency of enacting legislation to curtail the use of this hazardous chemical.

Studies have consistently demonstrated a strong association between paraquat exposure and Parkinson’s disease, a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by tremors, stiffness, and impaired motor function. Notably, paraquat has been disproportionately sprayed in areas inhabited by Latino farmworkers and their families, exacerbating health risks for these vulnerable communities.

The culpability of paraquat’s primary manufacturer, Syngenta, cannot be understated. Despite being aware of the health hazards associated with paraquat, including its link to Parkinson’s disease, Syngenta chose to conceal this information from the public and regulatory authorities. This duplicitous behavior, documented in “The Paraquat Papers” exposé by The New Lede, underscores the need for stringent regulation and oversight of pesticide use.

The EPA’s continued approval of paraquat, despite mounting evidence of its harm, is deeply concerning. While more than 60 countries have banned paraquat, its use persists in the United States, contributing to tragic cases of accidental poisonings and suicides. The EPA’s warning that “one sip can kill” highlights the toxicity of this chemical.

Related Content:

• Thanks to Monsanto’s Roundup, Herbicides Could Be Polluting 75 Percent of Air and Water
• USDA May Lift Restrictions on Use of Seeds Resistant to Herbicide Used in Agent Orange!
• Vets Urged to Stop Pesticide-Based Flea Treatments for Pets
• Study Reveals Alarming Presence of Pesticides in Conventional Baby Foods

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!