Paraquat Gets EPA Thumbs Up: Advocates Get The Agency’s Middle Finger
Commentary by Larry Gifford
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The recent EPA endorsement of paraquat, despite mounting evidence linking it to Parkinson's disease (PD), is a profound betrayal of public trust. This decision, seemingly driven by corporate interests, disregards the health and well-being of communities across the nation, fueling an intensified wave of outrage and disappointment.
The EPA's report, touting the benefits of paraquat for crop production, is a stark slap in the face to those who tirelessly advocate for environmental safety.
The EPA ruling reads, “After a thorough review of the relevant studies, the Agency concluded that the weight of evidence was insufficient to link paraquat exposure from pesticidal use of U.S. registered paraquat products to PD in humans.”
Despite acknowledging the potential link between paraquat and PD, the agency's assertion that benefits outweigh risks feels like a callous dismissal of the suffering and harm inflicted on individuals and families affected by this debilitating disease.
The ruling continues, “Although Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is not an expected result of the pesticidal use of paraquat, a connection has been hypothesized throughout the scientific literature, and so out of an abundance of caution, the Agency conducted a systematic review to assess the relationship between paraquat exposure and PD.”
Well, thank goodness they did a “systematic review” — cue the exaggerated eye-roll. But, unfortunately, the agency must not have read the article which noted exposure to paraquat within 1,600 feet of a home increases risk of developing Parkinson’s disease by 75%, or the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Southern California study which found that people exposed to paraquat at a younger age -- in their teen or young adult years -- had an increased Parkinson's risk of 100 to 500 percent, depending on overall exposure. Hmmm… surely The Michael J Fox Foundation included them among the studies and 107,000 signature petition pleading the EPA to ban paraquat.
Golly, I think I know what happened. This is funny. Well, it’s funny, not-funny. Sad, really. Actually a bit embarrassing for the EPA.
The agency didn’t read it.
You read that correctly. They didn’t get around to it. The agency admits it failed to fully consider scientific studies and testimony submitted by the Michael J. Fox Foundation and Earthjustice.
The ruling reads, “First, EPA recognizes that the Michael J. Fox Foundation and Earthjustice submitted letters to EPA on August 4, 2023, along with information that they believe is relevant to EPA’s consideration of paraquat’s health risks. This information consisted of approximately 90 submissions including scientific studies, as well as testimony filed in an ongoing state lawsuit concerning paraquat. While the Agency has started reviewing that material, it was unable to complete that review prior to the issuance of this document.”
The EPA's decision reflects a deeply flawed regulatory process that prioritizes profit over public health. By downplaying the significant risks associated with paraquat exposure, the agency not only undermines its own credibility but also perpetuates a system of injustice that disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities.
More than 10,000,000 pounds of Paraquat is used on U.S. crops each year. Paraquat is the deadliest pesticide used in U.S. agriculture, capable of killing a human with just a sip, as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns. For the record, it’s also used in Australia.
Despite the growing body of research linking paraquat to PD, the EPA's insistence on insufficient evidence is a blatant disregard for scientific consensus and the lived experiences of those affected. This dismissal of legitimate concerns only serves to amplify the outrage and disappointment felt by communities who expected better from their government.
In the end, the EPA's approval of paraquat is not just a failure of regulatory oversight but a betrayal of the fundamental duty to protect public health. Until meaningful action is taken to address the risks associated with paraquat exposure, the cycle of outrage and disappointment will persist, leaving communities vulnerable and disillusioned.
Thank you to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for including and representing PD Avengers and other organizations in the Unified Parkinson's Advocacy Council in the EPA filing.
Countries where paraquat is banned or severely restricted
.Austria
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burkini Faso
Cambodia
Canada
Caribbean
Chad
Chile
China
Columbia
Cote d’Ivoire
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominican Republic
England
Estonia
Finland
France
Gambia
Germany
Greece
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Italy
Kuwait
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Mali
Malta
Morocco
Mozambique
Netherlands
Niger
Northern Ireland
Norway
Oman
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Saudi Arabia
Scotland
Senegal
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Togo
Wales
