The herbicide paraquat dichloride is widely used to control weeds in the agricultural industry and other settings across the country. However, paraquat dichloride has been linked with an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease in a number of studies over the last decade.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects a person’s movement, with symptoms starting gradually, such as with a slight tremor, before worsening over time to cause stiffness, slowing of movement and soft or slowed speech.

A 2011 study known as the Farming and Movement Evaluation (FAME) from the National Institute of Health (NIH) found that farmworkers exposed to paraquat dichloride were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at a rate 2.5 times higher than those who were not exposed.

In the decade since the FAME study, researchers have delved into the possible connection between paraquat dichloride exposure and Parkinson’s disease.

Research found that the risk of Parkinson’s was even greater for certain people exposed to paraquat. A 2012 study from the Parkinson’s Institute found that people with a particular gene variation increased their risk of developing Parkinson’s disease by a factor of 11 after exposure to paraquat.

It’s not just high levels of paraquat exposure that pose a risk, a 2018 study from the University of Guelph in Canada suggested. Even low-level exposure, the study found, can have a significant impact on cells in a similar fashion to the cell disruption seen in Parkinson’s patients.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified paraquat as “restricted use,” meaning that only licensed applicators can use the herbicide. In October 2020, the EPA also proposed new safety measures of paraquat’s use. Members of the agricultural industry are now taking steps to respond to these new safety measures. The EPA’s new guidelines affect many elements of paraquat’s use, and address the following aspect’s of the chemical’s use:

• limiting where Paraquat can be stored, including prohibiting its storage near residential dwellings
• limiting where Paraquat can be used, including prohibiting its use near residences and playgrounds
• requiring warning labels on Paraquat
• limiting how much of the chemical can be used over a given amount of land
• limiting how much of the chemical can be used in a given timeframe

Outside the U.S., dozens of countries as well as the European Union have gone even further, banning the use of paraquat.

A growing number of experts are expressing concern about the potential link between paraquat dichloride and Parkinson’s disease. National Institutes of Health scientist Freya Kamel found that the research is “about as persuasive as these things can get.” Dr. Kamel told the New York Times that when it comes to determining a connection between dichloride and Parkinson’s disease, “It’s not a slam dunk; it never is/ But to me the weight of the evidence suggests there’s a relationship.”

A leading Dutch neurologist, Bastiaan Bloem, MD, has warned that because of the use of herbicides and other toxic chemicals, the number of people with Parkinson’s disease will likely double over the next twenty years.

Researchers have taken steps to synthesize the information gained about paraquat from a range of studies. An article published in NeuroToxicology explains that the majority of studies examining paraquat’s relationship to Parkinson’s Disease did indeed find an association between the two. Still, researchers are careful to stress that this does not indicate a causal relationship, meaning that even if paraquat exposure does overlap with incidents of Parkinson’s disease, this does not necessarily mean that exposure to paraquat caused Parkinson’s disease. Reportedly, further information would be needed to determine if any causal relationship exists.

A growing number of people are coming forward with lawsuits alleging exposure to paraquat caused them to develop Parkinson’s disease. Paraquat is just one herbicide that is prompting concerns over potential health risks. This trend is inviting increased questions over the safety of using many chemicals on food. Legal action has been taken over other herbicides like Roundup and pesticides like chlorpyrifos. 

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease after exposure to paraquat dichloride, you may be able to file or join a class action lawsuit and pursue compensation. Filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by a Parkinson’s diagnosis, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages and more.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.