Living near farms? How public data can help identify paraquat exposure and Parkinson's risk

The pesticide tracking system in California is the most comprehensive in the country. Through the California Department of Pesticide Regulation's Pesticide Use Reports (PUR) system, every paraquat application creates a paper trail. The California Pesticide Information Portal (CalPIP) allows anyone to access records showing what chemicals were used, where they were sprayed, how much was applied, and when. This data goes back decades and includes location down to roughly a one square mile area, the pounds of pesticide applied, the crop type, and the application method.

Where paraquat use is concentrated

There is a strong concentration of paraquat use in California's San Joaquin Valley, specifically in Kern, Fresno, Kings, Merced, and Tulare counties. Over 5.3 million pounds of paraquat have been sprayed across the state between 2017 and 2021.

Corcoran, Delano, and McFarland are among the communities to have made notable applications in recent years. Several of these rural farming communities are largely Latino and low-income, raising concerns about disproportionate exposure to environmental justice.

The link between paraquat and Parkinson's disease

Paraquat exposure has been associated with increased Parkinson's disease risk in several epidemiological studies. A study used California's public pesticide records and geographic mapping to assess ambient paraquat exposure by calculating how close people lived or worked to treated fields. According to these studies, there is compelling evidence that:

• People living within 500 meters of paraquat applications had approximately 75% higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease
• Living near paraquat applications every year during the study window was associated with about a 90% increase in the odds of Parkinson's disease, while workplace proximity showed an even higher increase in risk compared to unexposed individuals.
• The risk was particularly strong for individuals diagnosed before age 60

Farmworkers are not the only ones at risk. There is the possibility that spray drift or airborne pesticide droplets can travel considerable distances from application sites, affecting nearby families.

How to use public data to identify your exposure

Families concerned about paraquat exposure can use the following publicly available resources:

• Use the CalPIP portal to search by location and chemical to see if paraquat was used near your address
• Download historical data going back to 1974 and run custom queries for specific timeframes and locations
• Gather documentation of where you lived and worked during relevant time periods (leases, utility bills, employment records, property documents)
• Cross-reference your addresses with CalPIP data to determine whether paraquat applications occurred nearby

Records detailing the dates, amounts, and locations of paraquat use can help establish the causal link between paraquat use and Parkinson's disease diagnosis, which is the basis of a successful lawsuit.

Current regulatory status

California classifies paraquat as a restricted-use pesticide, which means only certified applicators can handle it, and residential use is prohibited. Even a small amount of paraquat can be fatal, according to the EPA, whose labels state "one sip can kill."

Paraquat is currently being reevaluated by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. In late 2024, the department's preliminary assessment stated that there was insufficient evidence for establishing a definitive cause-and-effect link between Parkinson's disease and thyroid dysfunction.

ELG Law can help you file a paraquat claim

You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one developed Parkinson's disease after living or working near paraquat-contaminated areas. Toxic exposure attorneys at the Environmental Litigation Group have been representing families in environmental contamination lawsuits for over 30 years. We can assist you in obtaining public pesticide records, in establishing your exposure history, and in obtaining compensation. You can reach out to us today to learn more about your legal options and how we can help your family.