May 12, 2021
For decades, we’ve trusted herbicides such as Paraquat weed killer and Roundup to poison unwanted plants without harming our families and ourselves when using them as directed. Despite our trust, numerous juries have recently found that Roundup is a human carcinogen causing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Now, growing evidence suggests that Paraquat toxicity causes progressive and incurable Parkinson’s disease.
Manufactured by Syngenta and Chevron, through various corporate entities, Paraquat is frequently used in agribusiness under brand names such as Gramoxone, Firestorm, Helmquat, and Parazone. Internationally, over thirty nations have banned Paraquat use. Domestically, we prohibit Paraquat use in home gardens, schools, playgrounds, parks and golf courses due to its lethal toxicity. Beginning on March 8, 2019, the Environmental Protection Agency required that Paraquat applicators undergo certification training. Applicators must wear personal protective equipment protecting against potentially lethal contact, inhalation or ingestion.
However, Paraquat remains widely used to kill undesired plants before planting and to dry out plants before harvest. Farmers, landscapers, groundskeepers, gardeners or those who live near large agricultural operations may have suffered exposure to Paraquat liquid and sprays. If you can smell the fertilizer from nearby farming, have seen a crop duster or tractor spraying a field or have worked with hand-held sprayers killing weeds, you may well have been inadvertently exposed to toxic Paraquat.
Paraquat weed killer has long been linked to Parkinson’s through medical studies including findings that Paraquat may more than double your risk for Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s is a progressive, irreversible, and potentially fatal disease primarily affecting the part of the central nervous system controlling movement. Symptoms include tremors, slow reflexes and voluntary movement, impaired balance, loss of speed or coordination, stooped posture, muscle spasms, and stiffness. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease after exposure to Paraquat weed killer, the lawyers of Cellino Law would be honored to seek financial justice for your injury.