It stands to reason that something that kills plants might not be good for humans. After all, we, too, are composed of living matter.
Lawsuits brought by those harmed by the weedkillers they used have garnered a lot of attention in recent years. While much of the focus was on ones like Roundup used by homeowners, some relate to chemicals deemed too dangerous for garden use yet still approved for commercial use.
One of those currently grabbing headlines is Paraquat, a herbicide that many say can cause Parkinson’s Disease and other ill effects.
Following a review, the Environmental Protection Agency has mandated stricter controls for the use of Paraquat. Yet, these may come too late if you have already been exposed to enough of it.
You do not need to have used Paraquat to have been exposed to it
If you live in an area where farmers spray herbicides, you could come into contact with the chemicals. They can be carried through the air, left on the food you eat, filtered into the water you drink or remain in the soil or plants you touch. Yet the most significant risk comes if you worked with it, for example, if you were employed to spray it on fields.
Like most of these controversial chemicals that lead to lawsuits, there is ample evidence that pharmaceutical companies knew of the dangers but ignored them in the name of profit. It’s a tragic story of greed repeated over and over again with very real human consequences.
If you believe you have been harmed by Paraquat exposure, it is essential to find out more about how to hold those responsible to account.