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.

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Countries where paraquat is banned or severely restricted

1. .Austria

2. Belgium

3. Belize

4. Benin

5. Brazil

6. Bulgaria

7. Burkini Faso

8. Cambodia

9. Canada

10. Caribbean

11. Chad

12. Chile 

13. China

14. Columbia

15. Cote d’Ivoire

16. Croatia

17. Cyprus

18. Czech Republic

19. Denmark

20. Dominican Republic

21. England

22. Estonia

23. Finland

24. France

25. Gambia

26. Germany

27. Greece

28. Guinea

29. Guinea-Bissau

30. Hungary

31. Iceland

32. Indonesia 

33. Ireland

34. Italy

35. Kuwait

36. Latvia

37. Lithuania

38. Luxembourg

39. Malaysia

40. Mali

41. Malta

42. Morocco

43. Mozambique

44. Netherlands

45. Niger

46. Northern Ireland

47. Norway

48. Oman

49. Peru

50. Philippines

51. Poland

52. Portugal

53. Romania

54. Saudi Arabia

55. Scotland

56. Senegal

57. Slovakia

58. Slovenia

59. South Korea

60. Spain

61. Sweden

62. Switzerland 

63. Taiwan

64. Togo

65. Wales

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