Used for decades to control weeds and invasive grasses on more than 100 crops, including corn, soybeans, cotton, and vineyard grapes, paraquat has expanded beyond its original weed control purpose to include preventing planting acres, burndown applications before soybeans, and harvest aid for legume crops. Unfortunately, too many agriculture sector employees, including tank fillers, experience regular exposure to this highly toxic pesticide without adequate protection or warnings about long-term health consequences.
Routes of exposure and health risks
A lack of personal protective equipment increases pesticide absorption into the body, with the route of entry influencing toxic effects significantly. For tank fillers, there are three main exposure pathways. Whenever concentrated chemicals are handled, they are absorbed through the skin. Hands that are contaminated can transfer pesticides to the mouth when eating or touching the face. Concentrated powders, granules, or dust can be inhaled through the mouth, throat, and lungs through the mucous membranes. Tank fillers face particular dangers during mixing operations.
- Splashing liquid concentrates onto skin or into eyes
- Spilling formulated product onto clothing, where it soaks through to the skin
- Breathing particles from highly concentrated powders, granules, or dust
- Contaminating hands and unintentionally transferring pesticides to the mouth
Over the past two decades, researchers have intensified examination of paraquat's effects on humans, specifically regarding Parkinson's disease risk. The herbicide produces intracellular molecules that damage cells by causing oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Many epidemiological studies have concluded that Parkinson's disease is strongly associated with paraquat exposure, with handling concentrated forms presenting the highest hazards.
Paraquat products handled by tank fillers
Tank fillers worked with concentrated forms of paraquat during mixing and loading operations, creating direct contact with the most toxic versions of the herbicide. While wearing long-sleeved shirts, gloves, and goggles reduces risk, and using transfer hoses instead of pouring provides safer procedures, manufacturers failed to warn about Parkinson's disease. These workers handled paraquat sold under multiple brand names throughout their careers.
Relevant job titles
- Pesticide tank filler
- Chemical tank loader
- Mix loader
- Pesticide mixer
- Tank loader operator
- Application equipment operator
