Despite the EPA's Agricultural Worker Protection Standard, designed to protect farmworkers from hazardous pesticides, the agency admitted over a decade ago that even with full compliance, risks to farmworkers still exceed acceptable levels. Sustained exposure to this highly toxic herbicide puts farmworkers at serious risk for Parkinson's disease and other adverse health effects.
Paraquat exposure and the risk of Parkinson's disease
Over 1.1 billion pounds of agricultural chemicals are used annually in the United States, and pesticide exposures on non-residential farms cause thousands of illnesses every year. Farmworkers face exposure to paraquat through multiple pathways.
- Ingestion when the herbicide contaminates food, water, or beverages
- Inhalation of vapors during and after application
- Skin exposure, particularly through cuts, sores, or rashes that allows the chemical to penetrate more easily
Concentrated or undiluted versions of paraquat pose even greater poisoning risks. The herbicide's neurotoxic properties target the brain's dopamine-producing neurons, leading to the progressive nervous system disorder known as Parkinson's disease. As the condition worsens over time, patients eventually become bedridden or wheelchair-bound, requiring constant care during the final stages of illness.
Paraquat products handled by farmworkers
Because paraquat is classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a restricted-use product, only certified occupational pesticide users with specialized training may legally apply it. Despite these restrictions, farmworkers handling the herbicide were never adequately warned by manufacturers about the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The following brands were commonly used on farms across the country, exposing thousands of workers to this neurotoxic chemical.
Relevant job titles
- Farmworker
- Agricultural worker
- Hired farmworker
- Field worker
- Crop worker
- Farm laborer
