What Are Pesticides
Pesticides are
chemicals that are used to kill insects. They are dangerous if ingested or used
the wrong way by humans and are regulated by the EPA (Environmental Protection
Agency). The EPA defines pesticides as a mixture of chemical
substances that are used to destroy, prevent, or repel pests. Pesticide
companies should be aware of chemicals that they are using and the adverse
effects they can have on humans due to the fact that they are dangerous and can
potentially cause serious harm.
There is a lawsuit against Paraquat which is
one of the widely used pesticides in America and the world. The lawsuit was
filed because there are claims there is a link between Paraquat and Parkinson's
disease. The main two active ingredients in pesticides are contaminants and
impurities and when used, these two components have the potential to be
hazardous to humans.
What Is Paraquat
Paraquat was
first used commercially by farmers in 1961 to control weeds on their crops.
This pesticide was used on orchard crops, as well as fruit and vegetable crops.
Paraquat is a toxic pesticide that is most commonly used on crops across the
United States. Paraquat is an organic compound and it is under the chemical
category of a viologen. This quick-acting chemical is the most used herbicide
and kills any green plant immediately on contact. Paraquat is proven to be
toxic to humans and animals and has also been linked heavily to the development
of Parkinson's in humans. Most of the individuals who are affected negatively
by Paraquat are farmers. Paraquat is currently banned in some countries because
of its harmful effects on people.
The Link Between Paraquat Pesticides and Parkinson's Disease
Paraquat is a
toxic pesticide to both plant and animal cells. There is growing research that
shows a link between Paraquat and the second most common progressive
neurodegenerative disease. There have been cases filed in court against various
companies for using Paraquat Pesticides. One case, in particular, was by a
gentleman in September 2017 and he filed a lawsuit against a company called
Syngenta and Growmark. The gentleman had been farming his entire life and
contracted Parkinson's disease from using Paraquat pesticide. But this case is
so sad because the gentleman that filed the lawsuit ended up dying before he
got his day in court. The lawsuit
against Paraquat
pesticides has been shown to be valid because scientists used Paraquat and
other toxins to produce animal models of Parkinson's disease. They are also
studies that have been performed and released by FAME which stand for Farming
Movement Evaluation. The study found that farmers or people who are exposed to
Paraquat pesticides are 2.5 times more often to contract Parkinson's than non-users.
The reason why this pesticide is still being used is due to the fact that it is
very effective in killing weeds and protecting crops. However, many farmers and
other advocates for safer pesticides would like to find alternatives to using
Paraquat.
What to Do If Exposed to Pesticides
There are many
different ways that an individual can be exposed to pesticides. Three main
routes of exposure are dermal, oral, and respiratory. Dermal exposure is when
the pesticide comes into contact with the skin and eyes. Oral exposure is when
the pesticide is ingested. Thirdly, respiratory exposure is when the pesticide
is inhaled by the individual. The signs and symptoms that people should be
aware of is vomiting, sweating, and pinpoint pupils. It is very important to
recognize the symptoms and to seek treatment immediately if you have been
exposed to pesticides. If exposure of any kind occurs and the individual is
unconscious or having trouble breathing 911 should be called immediately. If
the exposure does not have an immediate need for 911 to be called, you should
check the label to see how to administer first aid. It is also imperative to
contact The Poison Control Center to assist with first aid if exposure to any
pesticide does occur.
Trying to
remove the Paraquat pesticide from the market has been a challenge because of
its effectiveness in saving crops. In 2016, the EPA made a public statement
about the link between Paraquat and Parkinson’s disease. Since then they have
introduced new policies to protect farmers which would include restricting its
use to only certified individuals as well as requiring anyone who uses the
pesticide to participate in additional training. For those who have been
exposed to the hazardous chemical and believe it has caused irreparable damage,
should seek assistance from a law firm.
Paraquat has
already been banned in several countries including Europe and Switzerland while
China is in the process of phasing out it’s use. Farmers should look into
finding a safer alternative method to remove weeds from their crops. Individual’s
health should be a top priority when using pesticides as part of their job.