Global Alliance to End Parkinson’s Disease
PD Avengers
PD Avengers is a patient-led organization, united in the purpose of ending Parkinson's disease. We raise awareness, engagement and hope.
We add urgency to the cause of ending Parkinson’s disease.
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What Paraquat Is: Paraquat is a highly toxic chemical used primarily as an herbicide for weed and grass control. In the U.S., it is available as a liquid and classified as "restricted use," meaning only licensed applicators can handle it.
Widely Used Herbicide: Paraquat is one of the most commonly used herbicides worldwide. It acts quickly and is non-selective, killing green plant tissue on contact.
Link to Parkinson's Disease: Paraquat exposure has been linked to an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. It contributes to oxidative stress in the brain, which is believed to play a role in the disease's progression.
PD Avengers Toxic Chemical Page
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Here are nine facts about Paraquat:
Toxicity: It is highly toxic (lethal) to humans and animals due to its redox activity, which produces superoxide anions. Even a small dose can cause severe health effects, including fatal lung damage.
Extremely Small Lethal Dose: Paraquat is so toxic that ingesting as little as two teaspoons (10-20 ml) of a concentrated paraquat solution can be fatal. Unlike many other poisons, even spitting out paraquat after swallowing can still result in enough exposure to cause death.
Herbicidal Properties: It kills a broad range of weeds and grasses, works very fast, and becomes rain-fast within minutes of application. Upon contact with soil, it becomes partially inactivated, making it useful for no-till farming practices.
Bans and Restrictions: Paraquat is banned in 81 countries, including those in the European Union since 2007 and China since 2017. However, it remains widely used in the United States, Australia and other developing countries.
U.S. Usage: In the U.S., Paraquat use doubled between 2013 and 2018, reaching 10 million pounds annually. It is classified as a "Restricted Use Pesticide" and can only be handled by licensed applicators.
Controversial "Paraquat Pot" Program:
In the 1970s, the U.S. government supported a program where paraquat was sprayed on marijuana fields in Mexico to discourage drug use. Despite concerns about health risks, paraquat-contaminated marijuana ended up in the U.S. market, sparking debate about the potential harm to cannabis users.
KEY DATES
2024
April – Application opens for WPC Ambassadors (Apply today!)
September – Sponsor & Exhibit Prospectus available
2025
June – Video Competition opens
August – Abstract submission opens
September – Registration opens
September – Hotel booking will open (Note: WPC preferred hotels will be offered at reasonable rates and their staff will go through our Parkinson Ready training.)
October – Abstract submission closes
2026
March – Late breaking abstract submission
May 24 – 27 – 7th World Parkinson Congress
Wellness | Advocacy | Research
United in purpose, PD Avengers galvanizes a global network to elevate Parkinson's awareness and advocate for meaningful change in research and treatment.
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8,301 PD Avengers around the world
103 Countries or territories represented by PD Avengers
150 Organizational Partners and National/International Parkinson's Events
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