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Paraquat

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Paraquat

Numerous studies have linked Paraquat, a commercial weed killer, to Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is an incurable neurological disease that kills nerve cells in the brain, leading to impaired brain function and movement.

Victims claim that the manufacturer did not warn the public about the risks associated with Paraquat. If you or a loved one used Paraquat and developed Parkinson’s disease, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit and receive compensation for your medical bills and lost wages.

Filing a Paraquat lawsuit could also encourage other manufacturers in the herbicide industry to test their products thoroughly before selling them. To learn more about pursuing a legal claim, speak with our Paraquat lawyers at The Eichholz Law Firm.

What is Paraquat?

Paraquat is a toxic chemical that has been available for commercial use since 1961, and to this day, remains one of the most widely used herbicides worldwide. It’s a highly poisonous herbicide commonly used in agricultural and commercial settings, primarily for weed and grass control. 

In 1997, the Environmental Protection Agency determined that the primary way to be exposed to Paraquat is by occupational exposure, which includes the mixing, loading, and application of Paraquat or post-application processes. This poisoning typically occurs by skin exposure or accidental ingestion. 

Thirty-two (32) countries have banned the use of the product worldwide, except the U.S. The product was banned in the European Union in 2007. In the United States, Paraquat can only be used by licensed operators and is labeled as “restricted use” by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

Lawsuits have been filed against Paraquat’s manufacturers, claiming that they were negligent in its manufacturing and failed to warn the public about the herbicide’s known neurological risks.

Parkinson’s Disease Linked to Paraquat

The National Institute of Health conducted a study in 2011 that included over 80,000 farmers and agricultural workers. According to the study, agricultural workers had an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease compared to the general population. Additional research and a DNA study further validated this link.

Many countries banned the use of Paraquat upon hearing the evidence. This increased scrutiny globally lead to US regulators requiring all Paraquat users to be licensed applicators.

Those who were exposed to this toxic herbicide and may have suffered severe injuries include:

  • The licensed applicators who applied the product
  • Workers who entered fields after the herbicide was applied
  • Bystanders exposed to any spray that drifted into the air

One of the most common disorders people develop after using Paraquat for prolonged periods is Parkinson’s disease, a nervous system disorder that debilitates over 60,000 Americans each year.

People at Risk of Exposure to Paraquat

There were no dietary risks associated with Paraquat when used according to the bottle’s directions, per the EPA’s findings. Potential risks to workers who regularly used Paraquat or who entered fields that were treated with it were identified in a 2019 draft human health risk assessment. The assessment also discovered that bystanders who had never used the product might have also been exposed via spray drifts.

Paraquat Exposure

According to the CDC, exposure to Paraquat can occur in a variety of different ways, including:

  • Ingestion of Paraquat, which is the most likely route of exposure where poisoning can occur.
  • Paraquat can be mixed with food or beverages, which, when ingested, will lead to poisoning. The herbicide must now contain a vomiting agent, odor, and dye as safeguards to prevent people from consuming it by accident.
  • Through skin exposure, if a person has a rash, a sore, or a cut on their skin.
  • Through spray inhalation, which can cause severe lung damage.

Licensed applicators are exposed to the herbicide more than the general public, putting them most at risk. Accidental ingestion and exposure to Paraquat were associated with many deaths since 2000. In 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency took additional steps to prevent accidental poisoning caused by ingestion and Paraquat exposure.

Paraquat Side Effects and Risks

Individuals will experience immediate pain and swelling of the mouth and throat if Paraquat is ingested in large amounts. Other possible signs of illness include nausea, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal issues.

Dehydration, low blood pressure, or electrolyte abnormalities may indicate more severe gastrointestinal symptoms.

Even if a small amount of Paraquat is accidentally ingested, kidney failure, lung scarring, heart failure, or liver failure can occur.

Other symptoms could occur within several hours to a couple of days among people who ingest large amounts of Paraquat, including:

  • Acute kidney failure
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Coma
  • Heart injury
  • Muscle weakness
  • Liver failure
  • Pulmonary edema, or fluid in the lungs
  • Respiratory failure, which could cause death
  • Seizures
  • Lung scarring (occurs when medium or small amounts of Paraquat are ingested)

File a Paraquat Lawsuit

It is the responsibility of herbicide manufacturers to provide safe products. If hazardous risks are associated with the use of their products, adequate warnings are required displayed on their herbicides’ labels.

If the manufacturer does not fulfill this duty of care, it could be liable for any injuries or illnesses a person sustains due to using their products.

Anyone who experienced severe illness or injuries from using or being exposed to Paraquat could recover the following damages:

  • Lost wages
  • Future or past medical expenses
  • Funeral expenses (funeral costs, along with money for any pain a loved one will endure upon losing someone)
  • Pain and suffering

Victims will need to contact a knowledgeable Paraquat lawyer to hold these negligent herbicide manufacturers accountable for their actions.

Paraquat Claims & Negligent Manufacturers

Several claims were made over the years against Chevron Chemical and Syngenta, including:

  • Negligently designing and marketing the products
  • Failing to take appropriate steps to ensure that people who used Paraquat were kept safe
  • Failing to inform the general public regarding the dangers the herbicide posed to anyone who may have unknowingly been exposed to it
  • Lack of knowledge regarding Paraquat’s toxicity
  • Lack of awareness regarding long-term exposure to Paraquat and its link to Parkinson’s disease

Our Paraquat lawyers will help you identify which claims you can use in your lawsuit and guide you throughout the litigation process.

Paraquat Lawsuit Timeline

2007: The European Court of First Instance annulled the EU-wide authorization of Paraquat. According to the court ruling, a 2003 Directive that allowed the use of Paraquat in the EU did not satisfy its requirements to protect an operator’s health and safety. The directive did not assess the risk to animals or the risk of Parkinson’s disease. Several countries in the EU banned Paraquat previously before the Court’s decision.

2009: Research published in The American Journal of Epidemiology revealed that 75% of people exposed to Paraquat within 1,600 feet of a residential location were more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease.

2011: In February 2011, a Farming and Movement Evaluation (FAME) study was conducted by the National Institute of Health. The study revealed that long-term exposure to Paraquat was linked to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease.

2011: Another 2011 study published in the National Institute of Health Sciences studied pesticides and their relation to Parkinson’s disease. Within the study, Paraquat was a severe concern. It was concluded that there was a strong association between the herbicide and Parkinson’s disease.

2016: On March 9, 2016, the EPA issued mitigation procedures regarding the use of Paraquat. These procedures, otherwise known as the Paraquat Dichloride Human Health Decision, were intended to decrease exposure to workers who load, mix, or apply Paraquat and minimize accidental ingestions of the herbicide.

2017: A lawsuit was filed against Syngenta, Paraquat’s manufacturer.

2019: In October 2019, Paraquat’s draft risk assessments were made available to the public. Birds, algae, mammals, invertebrates, and terrestrial plants were identified as potential risks in the 2019 ecological risk assessment.

2020: The EPA’s regulatory review of Paraquat was taken a step further when new measures were proposed in October 2020 to diminish the risks associated with Paraquat usage to better protect human health and the environment in its projected interim decision for the product.

Contact a Paraquat Lawyer

If you or someone you love was exposed to Paraquat and developed Parkinson’s disease, The Eichholz Law Firm can help you take legal action against the negligent manufacturers. Our Paraquat lawyers understand product liability law and have recovered compensation for many victims of dangerous products. 

Fill out an online contact form or give us a call at (855) 551-1019 to learn about filing a Paraquat lawsuit.

References

Please seek the advice of a medical professional before making health care decisions.
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