How to Tell if You’ve Been Exposed to Paraquat:
Paraquat is a highly toxic herbicide that can be found in many professional strength weed killers. It has been banned in several countries, and in the U.S., its use is restricted only to those who are licensed applicators. Paraquat poisoning may cause immediate short-term acute respiratory distress, and exposure to paraquat has also been linked to Parkinson’s disease. Paraquat poisoning is rare among the general public these days, but if you work in landscaping and/or are a licensed applicator, you’re at greater risk for exposure—in fact, you might have been exposed without realizing it. In this article, we will discuss how you can tell whether you have been exposed to paraquat, as well as what the symptoms of paraquat exposure are so that you know when it is necessary to seek medical attention.
How Paraquat Exposure Happens
Paraquat poisoning mostly occurs through ingestion—eating or drinking items that were inadvertently exposed to the chemical. But it can also occur through inhalation or by exposure to the skin. When paraquat is sprayed on plants and allowed to dry, people are at a higher risk of inhaling toxic fumes from its dried form; this is why licensed applicators wear masks.
What Is Considered a Dangerous Level of Paraquat Exposure?
Paraquat is highly toxic and possibly fatal, even in small amounts. If you have handled paraquat at any time without the proper use of safety equipment (i.e., gloves, goggles, mask), chances are you’ve taken in an unhealthy amount of the chemical. Even if you’ve experienced no symptoms of illness, you should be monitoring your health for long-term effects like Parkinson’s disease.
Possible Indicators of Exposure to Paraquat
What are some possible signs that you’ve been exposed to paraquat—either inadvertently or as part of your work? Let’s look at a couple of indicators.
- The look and smell of the chemical
- . Paraquat has a noticeably pungent smell, and here in the U.S., it is injected with a distinctive blue dye in order not to confuse it with a beverage. If you’ve worked with commercial strength weed killers that have a strong smell and blue color, chances are you were working with paraquat—and if you were not wearing protective gear, you may have been exposed to some of it.
- Experiencing physical symptoms of paraquat poisoning
- . Exposure to paraquat can make you ill quite quickly—usually within minutes to a few hours. Symptoms to watch for include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bloody diarrhea
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- Abdominal pain
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- Difficulty breathing
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- Fast heart rate
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- Disorientation
Ingesting the drug in large amounts can also lead to serious or life-threatening conditions like liver failure, lung failure, kidney failure, or pulmonary edema. If you experience any of these symptoms get medical attention immediately. If you have experienced mild symptoms like these in the past and didn’t know what they were, you may have been inadvertently exposed—especially if you work with chemicals on the job.If you believe your health has suffered due to negligent exposure to paraquat, you may be eligible for compensation. The attorneys at Madeksho Law can help. Call us at 888-910-6376 to learn more or contact us here.
