Paraquat is a powerful weed killer commonly used in commercial and private agriculture in the United States. However, while paraquat is extremely effective at weed and grass control, it is also a highly toxic chemical banned in many countries worldwide. Studies have also shown that paraquat increases the risk of Parkinson’s disease by 100 to 500 percent.
Despite the link to Parkinson’s and other nervous system disorders and the hundreds of paraquat exposure lawsuits filed nationwide, paraquat is still widely used in the United States. If you have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease or are experiencing other health complications after exposure to paraquat, you are strongly urged to contact a lawyer.
Why Is Paraquat Still Used in the United States?
In 2019, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found insufficient evidence to link paraquat products to human health complications. Commercially licensed users could continue to use the product under restricted use. In 2020, the EPA found insufficient evidence linking paraquat products to any health complications investigated, including Parkinson’s disease. While the EPA claims that it is in the process of reviewing and reassessing the use of paraquat, there are several reasons why paraquat is still widely used in the United States, including politics and the effectiveness and affordability of paraquat.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) and the Parkinson’s community have been working tirelessly to ban the use of paraquat in the United States. After thousands of emails and phone calls were sent to Congress and over 100,000 signatures were logged on a petition to the EPA, the agency has agreed to reconsider the evidence that paraquat causes severe health complications. According to the Senior Vice President of Public Policy at MJFF, the ongoing efforts by the Parkinson’s community have convinced the EPA to reevaluate the risks associated with paraquat, which will hopefully result in the product being banned in the United States.
What Health Complications Are Associated With Weed Killer?
Paraquat is a highly toxic chemical that can be fatal if even a small amount is ingested. Aside from ingesting the chemical, paraquat poisoning can occur from coming in contact with sprayed plants, getting the chemical on your skin, inhaling paraquat, or exposure to the chemical while mixing, loading, or applying paraquat. In addition to increasing the risk for Parkinson’s disease, exposure to paraquat can cause the following health complications:
- Atypical Parkinson’s
- Multiple system atrophy
- Progressive supranuclear palsy
- Asthma
- Kidney disease
- Lung disease
What Should I Do if I Have Been Exposed to Paraquat?
If you or someone you love has been exposed to paraquat, it is imperative that you seek immediate medical attention to determine whether the exposure has caused any serious health issues. It is also in your best interest to contact a lawyer who can assist you with a paraquat claim.
If you are suffering from any serious health issues from paraquat exposure, your medical expenses may start to accumulate very quickly. A successful products liability claim can help you recover the financial damages that you are entitled to, which may include:
- All medical expenses related to your illness
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages if your illness prevents you from being able to work
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
Philadelphia Products Liability Lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC Represent Clients Who Have Been Harmed by Paraquat
If you were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease or another health complication after being exposed to paraquat, do not hesitate to contact our Philadelphia products liability lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 215-569-8488 or contact us online. Located in Philadelphia and Abington, Pennsylvania, as well as Wilmington, Delaware, we serve clients throughout the surrounding areas.