Paraquat Exposure and the Link to Parkinson’s Disease:
Parkinson’s is a debilitating disease. The chronic condition, a brain disorder, can lead to shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with walking, balance, and coordination. The disease progresses over time, eventually leading to difficulty walking and talking and behavioral changes like depression, fatigue, and memory problems. Now, some disturbing research links exposure to the weed killer Paraquat to a significantly greater risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease.
What is Paraquat?
Paraquat is an herbicide with contact toxicity. It kills anything green that it touches, interrupting a plant’s chlorophyll production and killing it immediately. As a result, Paraquat is popular with farmers, particularly those frustrated with weeds developing resistance to glyphosate-based herbicides like Roundup.Imperial Chemical Industries first marketed Paraquat under the name Gramoxone in 1961. The Swiss-based company Syngenta still markets the chemical under that name, but more than a dozen companies market Paraquat under other trade names. Paraquat is highly toxic to humans, and accidental ingestion of even a tiny amount of the herbicide can lead to death. As a result, more than 50 countries have banned Paraquat, including the European Union and China, which isn’t known for its concern over environmental toxins.
Pesticides and Parkinson’s Disease
While we don’t know exactly what causes Parkinson’s Disease, there is an increased risk of developing the disease for those that used pesticides. A recent study titled “Occupation and Risk of Parkinsonism” published in the Journal of the American Medical Association noted that “occupational use of pesticides was associated with an almost 80% greater risk of parkinsonism. Growing evidence suggests a causal association between pesticide use and parkinsonism.” The study examined eight specific pesticides, including Paraquat. The researchers observed that an individual’s long-term exposure to Paraquat and permethrin resulted in a three-fold increase in Parkinson’s disease risk.Even the Michael J. Fox Foundation, a nonprofit advocate and vehicle for Parkinson’s Disease research, asked the EPA to examine the evidence of toxicity and deny Paraquat’s reregistration. The organization wrote:We believe [Paraquat] should be eliminated from the American agriculture system for many reasons, including acute toxicity and organ failure by inhalation, oral intake and dermal absorption; chronic toxicity affecting the eyes, lungs, liver, kidneys and endocrine system; and a higher incidence of various cancers after exposure. In addition, research indicates low-level chronic exposure significantly increases the risk of Parkinson’s disease […].If you or a loved one have Parkinson’s Disease after long-term exposure to Paraquat, give the Madeksho Law Firm a call at 1-888-910-6376 or contact us through our online form to schedule a consultation. Your initial consultation is free, and you won’t pay a fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
