United States Lawmakers urge the EPA for an immediate ban on pesticides that have been proven to be linked with Parkinson’s disease, among many others. On October 31, 2024, in a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency, seven US senators pointed out the side effects of paraquat, a highly toxic pesticide. They called on the agency to ban it for the safety of farm workers and rural communities.

Health Risks Linked to Paraquat

The weedkiller has been associated with Parkinson’s and thyroid cancer, along with harmful effects on kidney, liver, and respiratory damage. Moreover, they stated that Paraquat can cause reproductive harm, especially in developing fetuses’ neurodevelopment. Exposure to pesticides during pregnancy has also shown an increased risk of leukaemia and blood cell cancer.

They wrote, “Findings from researchers at UCLA show paraquat sprayed within 500 meters of where people live and work can more than double a person’s odds of developing Parkinson’s disease.”

Over 70 countries, including China, Brazil, the European Union, and Turkey, have already banned the use of paraquat. They also mentioned that most farmers in the US do not use the pesticide. “According to the EPA, 99% of winter wheat, 98% of corn, 96% of sorghum, 94% of soybeans, 78% of cherries, 74% of almonds, 65% of apples, and 62% of peanuts were not sprayed with paraquat between 2014 and 2018,” they mentioned strengthening their claim further as the United States Lawmakers urge the EPA for an immediate ban on pesticides that have been proven to be linked with Parkinson’s disease.

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Growing Calls for a Ban

This letter was followed by a similar one sent by 47 members of the US House of Representatives asking the EPA to ban the same. The previous letter stated, “Paraquat is currently used to clear fields before planting, but the chemical can stay in the soil for years before breaking down.” They further added that paraquat is “a toxic substance linked to life-threatening diseases and grave impacts on the environment.”

The lawmakers cited scientific studies about paraquat, mentioning it “causes serious health risks for workers who use the substance as well as the surrounding communities.” They further added, “These health risks include a higher risk of Parkinson’s disease, with some studies finding a 64% increase in the likelihood of developing Parkinson’s, non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, thyroid cancer, and other thyroid issues.”

Senator Cory Booker (the organizer of the letter) hopes “the EPA will follow the science and ban paraquat” as all the risks associated with it are “well-documented”, and it would be “irresponsible” for the agency to allow its usage any further.

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EPA’s Position and Upcoming Decision

Although the EPA has various restrictions on the application of paraquat because of its acute toxicity, the agency has long maintained that there is no “clear link” between exposure to the chemical and Parkinson’s disease.

Earlier this year, the organization released a draft report that reaffirmed its stance. The agency did, however, state at the time that it would make a final report by January 17, 2025, after reviewing additional scientific studies.

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