Paraquat Linked to Parkinson’s Disease: What We Know!
According to the New York Times, ingesting even a single sip of Paraquat can have fatal consequences.
However, all across the United States, Paraquat isn’t illegal – it’s safe to purchase and use, and its sales are surprisingly on the rise.
Paraquat usage in the United States more than doubled over a ten-year period, from 2006 to 2016, according to the NAWQA. Sadly, it’s that increased usage that also parallels the increased amount of exposure to the toxic chemicals within. With that said, more research has shown that besides the chance of a deadly poisoning Paraquat can also increase an individual’s chances of developing Parkinson’s Disease.
As of the time of this blog post, the American Journal of Epidemiology, the Journal of American Medical Association, and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences have all published information citing several sources that point to direct links between the use of Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease. Even more so, the Unified Parkinson’s Advocacy Council (UPAC) has submitted a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in which it said: “Research links Paraquat and several other herbicides to the development of Parkinson’s pathology and symptoms.”
What is Paraquat?
Paraquat is a rapid-action, non-selective weed killer. Paraquat can be found under numerous different trade names (below) – one of the most popular herbicides in the U.S. that contains Paraquat is Gramoxone SL 2.0 Herbicide, which is manufactured by Syngenta.
The only other manufacturers of Paraquat to be named in lawsuits so far are Chevron U.S.A., Inc., and Growmark.
Here are some other trade names that can be linked back to Paraquat:
- Paraquat Concentrate®
- Gramoxone®
- Ortho-Paraquat
- Blanco®
- Cyclone SL 2.0®
- Firestorm®
- Helmquat 3SL®
- Bonedry®
- Devour®
- Para-Shot 3.0®
How Do I Know if I’ve Been Exposed?
The most common professions that would lead an individual to be exposed are, but are not limited to, the following:
- Agricultural Worker (Farmer/Farm Hand/Farm Worker).
- Landscaper/Groundskeeper/Gardener.
You may have also been exposed to Paraquat if you meet one of the following pieces of criteria:
- Live in/around a farming community.
- A family member of farmer/landscaper/groundskeeper/gardener.
In 2011, a study conducted by the National Institute of Health (NIH) called the Farming and Movement Evaluation (FAME) report, used data from an Agricultural Health Study to prove that Paraquat users developed Parkinson’s disease approximately 2.5x more than any non-users.
In 2017, a secondary study found a link between Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease, particularly in people with certain genetic traits. The major finding of the study showed exposure to Paraquat can cause DNA damage; weakening mitochondrial respiration, which is likely to increase the chances of developing Parkinson’s Disease.
What is Parkinson’s Disease?
According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, Parkinson’s Disease is a neurodegenerative disorder where nerve cells in a specific part of the brain called the Substantia Nigra no longer produce enough of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Tremors, limb rigidity, and gait problems are all causes of not having enough dopamine – these symptoms are what doctors use to distinguish Parkinson’s from any other diseases/probable causes.
With that said, non-movement-related symptoms can also occur such as cognitive impairment, depression, sleep disorders, and an array of digestive and bowel-related symptoms, like constipation.
As a progressive disorder, Parkinson’s Disease gets worse over time. Sadly, Parkinson’s is incurable, however, the symptoms are very much so treatable. Clinical research trials suggest that there may be hope to slow down Parkinson’s progression through intervention in the early stages.
Although both men and women can develop Parkinson’s Disease, it affects about 50 percent more men than women. Parkinson’s Disease affects between 750,000 and 1 million Americans, and studies show that an estimated 1.2 million Americans will be living with the disease by the year 2030.
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If you or a loved one has been exposed to Paraquat and have developed Parkinson’s Disease as a result, please use the form below to sign up for a free consultation with our law firm.
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